Open Access

ARTICLE

Comparative Analysis for Evaluating Wind Energy Resources Using Intelligent Optimization Algorithms and Numerical Methods

by Musaed Alrashidi^*

Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia

* Corresponding Author: Musaed Alrashidi. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Renewable Energy Systems)

Computer Systems Science and Engineering 2023, 47(1), 491-513. https://doi.org/10.32604/csse.2023.038628

Received 12 December 2022; Accepted 10 March 2023; Issue published 26 May 2023

Abstract

Statistical distributions are used to model wind speed, and the two-parameters Weibull distribution has proven its effectiveness at characterizing wind speed. Accurate estimation of Weibull parameters, the scale (c) and shape (k), is crucial in describing the actual wind speed data and evaluating the wind energy potential. Therefore, this study compares the most common conventional numerical (CN) estimation methods and the recent intelligent optimization algorithms (IOA) to show how precise estimation of c and k affects the wind energy resource assessments. In addition, this study conducts technical and economic feasibility studies for five sites in the northern part of Saudi Arabia, namely Aljouf, Rafha, Tabuk, Turaif, and Yanbo. Results exhibit that IOAs have better performance in attaining optimal Weibull parameters and provided an adequate description of the observed wind speed data. Also, with six wind turbine technologies rating between 1 and 3 MW, the technical and economic assessment results reveal that the CN methods tend to overestimate the energy output and underestimate the cost of energy ($/kWh) compared to the assessments by IOAs. The energy cost analyses show that Turaif is the windiest site, with an electricity cost of $0.016906/kWh. The highest wind energy output is obtained with the wind turbine having a rated power of 2.5 MW at all considered sites with electricity costs not exceeding $0.02739/kWh. Finally, the outcomes of this study exhibit the potential of wind energy in Saudi Arabia, and its environmental goals can be acquired by harvesting wind energy.

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