Exploration of the Prospects of Wind Energy Systems in Central Province of Saudi Arabia - A Way Forward to Green Future

This study investigates feasibility (techno-economic) for developing 30MW wind-energy-system (wind-farm) at Riyadh, Central Province, Saudi Arabia (K.S.A) by examining long-term wind-speed-data. The wind-energy resource of Riyadh is reasonable. According to data analysis, monthly-average wind-speeds of Riyadh (24°42‘ N, 46°44’ E) range from 3.0 to 3.9 m/s (at height of 10m). The wind-farms simulations comprised of various mixes of 600 kW commercial wind-machines (60m height-of-hub). Feasibility evaluation was achieved by employing HOMER-Energy's (NREL's) HOMER-software. The outcomes of study presented include monthly wind-speed variations, FD-profiles (frequency-distribution profiles) of wind-speeds, month-by-month and annual quantity of generated-energy from the 30MW-wind-energy-system (60m hub), cost of generation-of-energy (COE, US$-per-kWh), capacity-factor (percent), etc. According to FD-profiles, wind-speeds are under 3m/s for roughly 52 percent duration of a year. This suggests that commercial wind-electric-conversion-systems (WECS) can generate energy (MWh) for roughly 48% duration of a year. About 33395 MWh of energy is produced from 30MW-WECS (with 60m hub-level) every year. The COE by utilization of 600kW (60m hub-level) is roughly 0.0703 US$-per-kWh. With installation of 30MW WECS, approximately 1683 tons emissions (carbon) can be refrained every year. Various other associated factors (e.g. height-of-hub, capacity factor, etc.) for WECS-installation have also been examined.