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Wind resource of Ilorin City for vortex-induced wind turbine power generation and off-grid electrification


T. Yahaya
H. A. Ajimotokan
J. A. Adebisi
I. I. Ahmed
T. K. Ajiboye
S. Abdulkareem
K. R. Ajao

Abstract

This study examined the appraisal of wind resources of Ilorin, Nigeria for vortex-induced wind turbine power generation and off-grid electrification. The technical potential of Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application, version 2 (MERRA-2) was employed as a tool to generate an estimated wind resource of Ilorin city, using five different hub-heights (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 m). A statistical analysis of wind characteristics for 21 years from 2001 to 2021 was carried out using Weibull distribution function. The daytime and night-time wind characteristics were studied to determine prospective and investment hub-height(s). It was observed that the study area is a low wind region with a minimum and maximum mean wind speed of 2.89 m/s at 10 m and 7.68 m/s at 90 m, respectively. Wind turbines with cut-in wind speed of 2, 2.5, and 3 m have operational chances of 98%, 95% and 88%, respectively. Wind power density at 10, 30, and 50 m elevations was classified as poor while at 70 and 90 m elevations, was regarded as marginal and fair, respectively.


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eISSN: 2437-2110
print ISSN: 0189-9546