Wind Resource for Tindouf Location in Southern Algeria

Abstract

In this paper, the wind potential of Tindouf located in southern Algeria has been estimated; to determine wind characteristics (distributions and wind rose) and evaluate the wind energy density, the Weibull distribution model is a widely used method for calculating wind frequency distribution. The study used the maximum likelihood method to estimate the wind speed and direction. The wind speed class was found to be the most prevalent in autumn and winter, with the highest percentage in spring and summer. The wind power density of Tindouf was found to be 224.37 W/m 2 , with the dominant sector being the west, accounting for 29.4% of wind time. The wind speed classes were most prevalent in the eastern sector, accounting for 20.4% of wind time. The wind power density varied from 121.60 W/m 2 in August to 335.85 W/m 2 in April, with the average seasonal density varying from 161.38 W/m 2 in autumn to 280.87 W/m 2 in spring. Tindouf location is classified as part of the PNL 4th classes, making it an ideal location for wind farms. Wind turbine rows must be oriented perpendicular to the west, generating energy continuously from January until peaking in May.