Wind and solar energy potential in Herkalou and Lake Assal locations, Djibouti

Abstract

The absence of meteorological data to identify the energy resources and the available energy potential represented a major obstacle in some areas in Djibouti. To solve this data problem, in this paper, wind and solar potential were assessed by collecting daily and monthly wind and solar data for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2020, for Herkalou and Lake Assal site. This study highlights that the wind resources in the Lake Assal location are falling into class 7 with high wind speed value of 16 m.s<sup>-1</sup> and the wind energy reaching1700 kWh/m<sup>2</sup> at 100 m height above ground level. While the Herkalou site shows a lower potential with value of 7.5 m.s<sup>-1 </sup>and 160 kWh/m<sup>2</sup>. The solar potential shows a similar distribution and a constantly high level of solar radiation throughout the year, with the monthly maximum global radiation peaks of around 900 W/m² between 11.00 and 14.00 pm for both sites. The highest monthly average of global solar irradiation values was 5.29 kWh/m<sup>2</sup> day<sup>-1 </sup>and 6.90 kWh/m<sup>2</sup> day<sup>-1 </sup>in March for Herkalou and Lake Assal, respectively. Results obtained in this study are favorable to deploying the solar and wind technologies for the studied sites.

Techno-economic assessment and wind energy potential of Nagad in Djibouti

“…Average power output (𝑃 𝑒.𝑎𝑣𝑒 ), capacity factor (CF), and accumulated annual energy (AEP) are the important performance parameters to study wind speed installed in a given site. The 𝑃 𝑒.𝑎𝑣𝑒 and CF of a wind turbine are calculated by (13) and (14).…”

“…Thus, Pe,ave, CF, and AEP given by these wind turbines are calculated using ( 13), (14), and (15). Additionally, Figure 3 shows the monthly variation of estimated CF and AEP of wind turbines.…”

“…In Saswat et al [13], India have demonstrated the effectiveness of the hybrid PV/solar/wind power system, which is given the best and most efficient alternative to conventional energy sources. Idriss et al [14] conducted the potential of wind and solar energy in two rural sites in Djibouti which are Herkalou and Lake Assal. They showed that the studied sites receive the greatest amount of solar radiation compared to other places in the world with the global radiation value of 2,898 kWh/ (m².…”