International Journal of
Physical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Phys. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-1950
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJPS
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2568

Full Length Research Paper

Diurnal characteristics of the wind potential along the North-western coast of Senegal

B. Ould Bilal1,2*, M. Ndongo2, V. Sambou1, P. A. Ndiaye1 and C. M. Kebe1
  1Centre International de Formation et de Recherche en Energie Solaire (C.I.F.R.E.S), ESP BP: 5085 Dakar Fann, Senegal. 2Centre de Recherche Appliquée aux Energies Renouvelables de l'Eau et du Froid (CRAER)/FST/Université de Nouakchott, BP: 5026 Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 30 November 2011
  •  Published: 23 December 2011

Abstract

 

This paper is aimed at determining the diurnal characteristics of the wind potential inSenegal. The data used in this study are collected from eight sites (Kayar, Potou, Gandon, Sine Moussa Abdou, Botla, Dara Andal, Nguebeul and Sakhor) located alongside the North-western coast of Senegal. These data cover the period of one year for each site. The annual wind speed distribution curves in all sites were obtained by using the Weibull distribution function. The results obtained show that the power density available is greaterduring the dry season than in the rainy season. In all sites, it appeared more important for the day-time than the night-time. For instance, the power density was 145.30 and 58.34 W/m² at the height of 20 m in the day and night, respectively in the site of Potou; it reveals 99.64 and 52.35 W/m² in the site of Kayar and 103.14 and 45.87 W/m² in Gandon during the same period and the same height. The corresponding average wind speeds are of 5.69 and 4.15 m/s in Potou, 5.04 and 3.80 m/s in Kayar and 5.13 and 3.77 m/s in Gandon.

 

Key words: Weibull distribution, wind potential, diurnal characteristics, seasonal characteristics.