Assessment of wind energy potential of remote area of Umerkot site, empowering the local population with renewable energy

This paper presents the detailed assessment of wind potential of newly Umerkot site which was never assessed before this study. The purpose of this study is to assess the wind energy potential of Umerkot site. The wind measurements have been taken at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m above the ground level (AGL). The wind shear coefficient and turbulence intensity were investigated to determine the site specific loads on turbine. The wind measurements were studied to assess the wind power and energy density corresponding to cost/kWh of site. The mean wind shear coefficient was observed to be 0.2615, 0.2989, and 0.2451 at 20, 40, and 60 m, respectively. The mean values of turbulence intensity were observed to be 0.154, 0.128, 0.113, and 0.107 at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m, respectively. The mean wind speed was observed to be 4.489, 5.375, 5975, and 6.391 m/s at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m, respectively. The mean values of k parameters were observed to be 2.065, 2.596, 2.715, and 2.923 at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m. The mean values of c (m/s) parameter were found to be 5.065, 6.064, 6.682, and 7.211 m/s at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m, respectively. The values of standard deviation are observed in between 0.1 to 3 at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m, respectively. The mean coefficient of variation was found to be 0.164, 0.128, 0.108, and 0.098 at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m, respectively. The sum of wind power density (W/m 2 ) values were observed to be 486, 797, 1230, and 1326 W/m 2 at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m, respectively. The mean energy density was observed to be 355, 582.3, 898.5, and 968.7 kWh/m 2 at 20, 40, 60, and 80 m, respectively. The economic assessment is showing that wind turbine C has the minimum cost US$ 0.0602/kWh.