Wind energy analysis for 3 prospective coastal sites of Bangladesh

Wind Energy Resource Mapping (WERM) project for Bangladesh was the first of its kind in the country to make a reliable wind energy database, on the basis of which future wind energy conversion systems (WECS) could be installed without failure. The initiative was taken as a part of fulfilling the objectives of our National Renewable Energy Policy to produce 5% of total generation of electricity from renewable sources by 2015 and 10% by 2020. At present per capita energy consumption in Bangladesh is one of the lowest in the world. As it has limited reserves of conventional fuels, there is no other alternative to improve the situation other than to go for renewable sources. In this study wind speed data for Kuakata, Sitakunda and Kutubdia from January to December, 2006 have been analyzed to determine the potential for wind power generation. The variation of wind speed and direction with year, month and time of the day have been studied for proper selection of wind turbines based on Weibull Parameters. The study recommends considering operating WECS for six months from April to September in which energy densities are 147 W/m2, 104 W/m2 and 89 W/m2 in Kuakata, Sitakunda and Kutubdia respectively.