A High-Resolution Wind Farms Suitability Mapping Using GIS and Fuzzy AHP Approach: A National-Level Case Study in Sudan

Wind energy is one of the most attractive sustainable energy resources since it has low operation, maintenance, and production costs and a relatively low impact on the environment. Identifying the optimal sites for installing wind power plants (WPPs) is considered an important challenge of wind energy development which requires careful and combined analyses of numerous criteria. This study introduces a high-resolution wind farms suitability mapping based on Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Geographic Information System (GIS) approaches considering technical, environmental, social, and spatial aspects, representing eight different criteria. First, a multi-criteria decision-making analysis based on the FAHP method is employed to assign appropriate weights for the addressed criteria with respect to their relative importance. Since the traditional AHP method, which was found employed in the majority of the relative case-studies, is not efficient in dealing with uncertainty when experts use a basic scale (0 to 1) for their assessments, the FAHP provides more flexible scales through the utilized fuzzy membership functions and the natural linguistic variables. Consequently, this helps to facilitate the assessments made by experts and increases the precision of the obtained results (weights). Next, the high-resolution GIS is used to carry out a spatial analysis and integrate various factors/criteria throughout the proposed index to produce the final suitability map and identify the unsuitable areas. The presented study emphasizes investigating the lightning strike flash rate due to its significant influences on the wind turbine’s safety and operation, yet this crucial factor has been seldomly investigated in previous studies. The obtained findings revealed that the wind speed, the land slope, and the elevation had the highest weighted criteria with 33.1%, 24.8%, and 12.2%, respectively. Besides, the final-developed suitability map revealed that 23.22% and 8.31% of the Sudanese territory are of high and very high suitability, respectively, for wind farms installation which are considered sufficient to cover the electricity needs. The difficulty of acquiring real data and resources for the addressed location was the main challenge of the presented work. The work outlook addresses the suitability mapping of hybrid photovoltaic-wind turbine energy systems, which will require addressing new and significant criteria in the applied methodology.

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Impact of key factors on expected development of onshore wind energy sector in Poland and development scenarios

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/20187001017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 70 ◽

pp. 01017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Izabela Wielewska ◽

Karol Tucki ◽

Anna Bączyk ◽

Magda Trzaska

Keyword(s):

Wind Energy ◽

Wind Power ◽

National Level ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Power Market ◽

Energy Sector ◽

Key Factors ◽

Onshore Wind ◽

Development Scenarios ◽

Current State

The aim of the paper was to analyse the wind power market in Poland by reviewing the factors that shape and influence its current state and the possible development prospects. The paper was focused on legislative, environmental, manufacturing, sociocultural and economic factors. Barriers to the development of onshore wind power market and the expected development of wind energy in Poland in the years 2017-2020 were identified and measured based on a survey. The review of individual factors and the study performed present that legislative barriers and the introduction of the ‘distance act’ are factors with the biggest influence on the current stagnation of onshore wind energy sector. A review of the recommendations concerning the distance (from protected areas and housing) required to build wind farms set forth in literature shows that Poland is the only country with such harsh restrictions. With its good environmental conditions and technical capacities, Poland can become a European leader in the production of energy from wind. The only barrier is the legislative environment and political instability on the national level. Without improvements in this sector, there is no chance for new wind projects, as these factors are crucial for development of this type of energy.

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Wind Energy Development in India and a Methodology for Evaluating Performance of Wind Farm Clusters

Journal of Renewable Energy ◽

10.1155/2016/6769405 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sanjeev H. Kulkarni ◽

Tumkur Ramakrishnarao Anil ◽

Rajakumar Dyamenally Gowdar

Keyword(s):

Wind Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Wind Farm ◽

Pairwise Comparison ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Analytic Hierarchy ◽

Healthy Environment ◽

Indian State ◽

Wind Energy Development ◽

Hierarchy Process

With maturity of advanced technologies and urgent requirement for maintaining a healthy environment with reasonable price, India is moving towards a trend of generating electricity from renewable resources. Wind energy production, with its relatively safer and positive environmental characteristics, has evolved from a marginal activity into a multibillion dollar industry today. Wind energy power plants, also known as wind farms, comprise multiple wind turbines. Though there are several wind-mill clusters producing energy in different geographical locations across the world, evaluating their performance is a complex task and is an important focus for stakeholders. In this work an attempt is made to estimate the performance of wind clusters employing a multicriteria approach. Multiple factors that affect wind farm operations are analyzed by taking experts opinions, and a performance ranking of the wind farms is generated. The weights of the selection criteria are determined by pairwise comparison matrices of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The proposed methodology evaluates wind farm performance based on technical, economic, environmental, and sociological indicators. Both qualitative and quantitative parameters were considered. Empirical data were collected through questionnaire from the selected wind farms of Belagavi district in the Indian State of Karnataka. This proposed methodology is a useful tool for cluster analysis.

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Combining Wind and Pumped Hydro Energy Storage for Renewable Energy Generation in Ireland

Journal of Wind Energy ◽

10.1155/2014/415898 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alice Coburn ◽

Eilín Walsh ◽

Patrick J. Solan ◽

Kevin P. McDonnell

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Energy Storage ◽

Wind Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Energy Generation ◽

Western Coast ◽

Hydroelectric Power ◽

Wind Potential ◽

Renewable Energy Generation

Ireland has one of the highest wind energy potentials in Europe. The intermittent nature of wind makes this renewable resource impractical as a sole source of energy. Combining wind energy with pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) can overcome this intermittency, consuming energy during low-demand periods and supplying energy for periods of high demand. Currently Ireland has a number of hydroelectric power plants and wind farms of various scales in operation. A feasibility study was conducted to investigate the potential of securing a reliable source of renewable energy by increasing the penetration of hydroelectric power by means of combined wind-PHES developments. The greatest wind potential is experienced along the western coast of Ireland and a number of sites were identified here which satisfied a minimum mean wind speed criterion of 10.5 ms−1. Each site was then further evaluated according to topographical requirements for PHES. All but two of the identified sites are immediately unsuitable due to the presence of areas protected under European legislation; this highlights the nonenergy related obstacles in the path of renewable energy generation in Ireland and suggests that a compromise should be researched which could facilitate both renewable energy generation and species and habitat protection in Europe.

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Comparing and validating intra-farm and farm-to-farm wakes across different mesoscale and high-resolution wake models

10.5194/wes-2021-106 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jana Fischereit ◽

Kurt Schaldemose Hansen ◽

Xiaoli Guo Larsén ◽

Maarten Paul van der Laan ◽

Pierre-Elouan Réthoré ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Wind Energy ◽

Wind Farm ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Offshore Wind ◽

Wake Effect ◽

Disk Model ◽

Computational Costs ◽

Rans Simulations ◽

Wind Resource

Abstract. Numerical wind resource modelling across scales from mesoscale to turbine scale is of increasing interest due to the expansion of offshore wind energy. Offshore, wind farm wakes can last several tens kilometres downstream and thus affect the wind resources of a large area. So far, scale-specific models have been developed and it remains unclear, how well the different model types can represent intra-farm wakes, farm-to-farm wakes as well as the wake recovery behind a farm. Thus, in the present analysis the simulation of a set of wind farm models of different complexity, fidelity, scale and computational costs are compared among each other and with SCADA data. In particular, two mesoscale wind farm parameterizations implemented in the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF), the Explicit Wake Parameterization (EWP) and the Wind Farm Parameterization (FIT), two different high-resolution RANS simulations using PyWakeEllipSys equipped with an actuator disk model, and three rapid engineering wake models from the PyWake suite are selected. The models are applied to the Nysted and Rødsand II wind farms, which are located in the Fehmarn Belt in the Baltic Sea. Based on the performed simulations, we can conclude that average intra-farm variability can be captured reasonable well with WRF+FIT using a resolution of 2 km, a typical resolution of mesoscale models for wind energy applications, while WRF+EWP underestimates wind speed deficits. However, both parameterizations can be used to estimate median wind resource reduction caused by an upstream farm. All considered engineering wake models from the PyWake suite simulate intra-farm wakes comparable to the high fidelity RANS simulations. However, they considerably underestimate the farm wake effect of an upstream farm although with different magnitudes. Overall, the higher computational costs of PyWakeEllipSys and WRF compared to PyWake pay off in terms of accuracy for situations when farm-to-farm wakes are important.

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Towards a sustainable 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar: Evaluation of wind energy potential for three football stadiums

Energy Exploration & Exploitation ◽

10.1177/0144598720948175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 1893-1913

Author(s):

Carlos Méndez ◽

Yusuf Bicer

Keyword(s):

Wind Energy ◽

Wind Power ◽

Power Density ◽

Energy Demand ◽

Power Plants ◽

Wind Farms ◽

World Cup ◽

Fifa World Cup ◽

Wind Power Density ◽

Football Stadiums

This study analyzes the feasibility of satisfying the demand of three Football Stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, using the wind’s kinetic energy. For all three selected locations (Lusail, Al Rayyan, and Al Wakrah), the wind potentiality is calculated through an environmental parameters study, from which the wind power density is obtained. Furthermore, a commercial wind turbine with proper characteristics is selected, and the same case study for each location is presented, to quantify the capacity that wind energy offers for satisfying the maximum energy demand of each associated stadium. In addition, the environmental benefits and the time required by each wind farm to satisfy the energy demand are computed. The results reveal that the conditions enable the use of wind energy for this purpose, based on a 5.06 m/s, 4.63 m/s, and 5.18 m/s velocity mean for Lusail, Al Rayyan, and Al Wakrah, respectively; from which values of 187.49 W/m2, 150.96 W/m2, and 187.29 W/m2 of wind power density are obtained. Also, the proposed wind farms could produce 69,952.56 MWh/year, 59,550.19 MWh/year, and 75,333.70 MWh/year, respectively. Moreover, the wind farms should produce energy for a period of 5.64 h, 4.41 h, and 5.23 h, to satisfy the maximum demand by a football match in its associated location. Additionally, to avoid the implementation of a storage system, the electricity obtained from the wind is connected to the power grid, decreasing the quota of fossil fuel power plants. In consequence, Qatar will eliminate the emissions of approximately 23.376 tons of CO2 in total per trio of matches held in these stadiums. Finally, a post 2022 FIFA World Cup scenario is analyzed, obtaining a positive outcome from both environmental and economic perspectives, in which an average of 14,675 tons of CO2 and 6.03 Million US$ can be saved annually.

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Wind energy potential assessment in western Mediterranean

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-18130 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Platon Patlakas ◽

Christos Stathopoulos ◽

Ariadni Gavriil ◽

George Galanis ◽

George Kallos

Keyword(s):

Wind Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Wind Farm ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Offshore Wind ◽

Energy Potential ◽

Safety Level ◽

Marine Area

Wind energy investments have met a quick growth during the last decades due to the stricter climate policies, the need for energy independence and the higher profits coming from the smaller costs of such applications. Moreover the evolution of technology leads to the characterization of more areas as suitable for energy applications. Offshore wind farms are a nice example of how to build bigger, more efficient and resistant in extreme conditions wind power plants.The present work is focused on the determination of the suitability of an offshore marine area for the development of wind farm structures. More specifically the region of interest is the marine area on the south of France including the Gulf of Leon. For the needs of the study a 10-year database, produced employing state of the art atmospheric and wave models, is utilized. The wind and wave parameters used, have a spatial resolution of 6 km and a frequency of one hour.Wind speed and power probability distribution characteristics are discussed in different heights throughout the domain. Particular locations are selected for a more comprehensive analysis. At the same time extreme wind and wave conditions and their 50-years return period are analyzed and used to define the safety level of the wind farms structural characteristics. The outcome could lead to a review of the area suitability for wind farm development, providing a new tool for technical/research teams and decision makers.

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Testing the performance characteristics of specific profiles for applications in wind turbines

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/201910801015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 108 ◽

pp. 01015

Author(s):

Krzysztof Pytel ◽

Stanislaw Gumula ◽

Piotr Dudek ◽

Sebastian Bielik ◽

Szymon Szpin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wind Energy ◽

Wind Turbines ◽

Power Plants ◽

Mechanical Energy ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽

Electricity Production ◽

Air Masses ◽

Rotor Wheel ◽

The Impact

The publication presents the results of aerodynamic characteristics of selected profile blades for applications in wind turbines. Considering the potential of energy resources and investors’ preferences, the amount of energy produced in wind farms in the total amount of electricity generated will be systematically growing and probably, in the next few years, wind energy will be the first in the field of electricity production from all types of power plants. Harnessing the power of moving air masses is now a global phenomenon. Rotor wheel converts wind energy into mechanical energy when using blades with chosen shape and oriented in the terms of the optimum performance. The aim of the measurements was to determine the impact of blade shape and blade angle of attack on the efficiency of conversion of wind energy into mechanical energy on the rotor wheel. The obtained power coefficients were presented as results.

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Development of Wind Energy and the Installed Wind Power Plants in Turkey

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202020702013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 207 ◽

pp. 02013

Author(s):

Cansev Genç ◽

Abdulla Sakalli ◽

Ivaylo Stoyanov ◽

Teodor Iliev ◽

Grigor Mihaylov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wind Energy ◽

Wind Power ◽

Industrial Development ◽

Power Plants ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Offshore Wind ◽

Offshore Wind Farms ◽

Wind Generators ◽

Wind Power Plants

This article analyses the development of wind energy in Turkey - the number and capacity of installed wind generators, as well as the generated electricity. It was established that the number of wind power plants is 99 with a total installed capacity of 3933 MW, and the amount of electricity produced by wind power plants is 17909.3 GWh / year. Turkey has been shown to have great potential for developing electricity generation from offshore wind farms. The increase in the number of offshore wind turbines in the coming years is expected to increase the relative share of renewable sources in the country’s energy mix, to contribute to the technological and industrial development of the regions, to produce electricity from renewable and environmentally friendly sources and to reduce the country’s energy dependence. It has been established that there are appropriate conditions in Turkey for the development of wind energy and preconditions have been created for achieving the target for promoting the use of renewable energy sources by 2023.

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On the spatial differentiation of energy transitions: Exploring determinants of uneven wind energy developments in the Czech Republic

Moravian Geographical Reports ◽

10.2478/mgr-2019-0007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 79-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bohumil Frantál ◽

Eva Nováková

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Wind Energy ◽

National Level ◽

Spatial Differentiation ◽

Wind Farms ◽

Alternative Source ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Mining Areas ◽

Wind Potential ◽

Local Acceptance

Abstract Wind energy research is dominated by studies of local acceptance (or not) of wind farms and comparative studies at a national level. Research on the spatial differentiation of wind energy developments at the regional level is still insufficient, however. This study provides new empirical evidence for the extent to which regional differences in the deployment of wind energy are related to specific environmental and socioeconomic factors, by a statistical analysis of data for districts in the Czech Republic. Unlike previous studies, we found that the installed capacity of wind energy cannot be well predicted by wind potential, land area and population density in an area. In the Czech Republic, wind farms more likely have been implemented in more urbanised, environmentally deprived coal-mining areas that are affected by economic depression. It seems that in environmentally deprived areas, wind energy is more positively accepted as an alternative source to coal, and the economic motivation (financial benefits for municipalities) can have a greater effect on local acceptance, while public opposition is less efficient due to lower social capital and involvement in political matters. Based on these results, some implications for the planning and spatial targeting of new wind farms are discussed.

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The Transition to Renewable Energy Technologies—Impact on Economic Performance of North Rhine-Westphalia

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app9183783 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (18) ◽

pp. 3783 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gianmarco Aniello ◽

Johannes Többen ◽

Wilhelm Kuckshinrichs

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Power Plants ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

National Level ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Energy System ◽

Production Costs ◽

Federal State ◽

Negative Effects

The economic impacts of the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) are of considerable importance for the discussion of the energy transition in Germany (Energiewende). The Energiewende implies structural changes of the energy system by deploying Renewable Energy (and energy efficiency) Technologies (RET), but it also may induce structural changes for the overall economy, with uneven effects on a sub-national level. North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) is an ideal case to study such regional disparities, since this federal state has scarce per-capita renewable energy sources, whereas it stands out for its energy intensive industry and fossil-fuel based power plants. In order to support renewable energy policies, mostly gross impact assessments of RET deployment have been carried out both on national and regional levels. By definition, such analyses result in positive assessments, since only expansionary effects resulting from additional demand for RET are accounted for. This paper, in contrast, presents a net impact assessment of the EEG on the NRW economy of both expansionary and contractionary effects. The latter consist of negative income effects, increased production costs and, the crowding-out of conventional energy due to the renewable energy financing mechanism (i.e., electricity surcharge), as well as its preferential status for feed-in. Our findings show how North-Rhine Westphalia, with regard to the operation of RET, suffers disproportionally from negative effects in relation to the value addition of its economy in comparison to the rest the country, whereas it benefits marginally from the production of such facilities.

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