Wind Energy Assessment as a Source of Power Generation in Bangladesh

Abstract

Wind energy has been considered one of the most popular forms of renewable energy. It has been widely considered for the generation of electricity for its low maintenance cost and negligible effect on environmental pollution. The purpose of this research is to evaluate and compare the wind energy potential in seven different districts of Bangladesh including Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet. Data had been recorded on daily basis for the consecutive five years from 2015 until 2019 and analysed using Weibull distribution function various essential parameters such as wind speed, wind energy density and wind power density. Results show that the monthly average wind speed varies between 0.5 m/s to 2.10 m/s for all the divisions except Chittagong where it is in the range between 3 m/s and 4.5 m/s. Similarly, the maximum wind power density and wind energy density were also found in the Chittagong division with annual densities that range between 51.86967 W/  to 84.01142 W/ and 454.3783 KWh/  to 753.94 KWh/ , respectively. The shape and scale parameters (k and c) are varying between 0.774373 – 1.086069 and 0.684588 – 1.735511 m/s, respectively for all the divisions except Chittagong where it ranges between 1.463098 – 1.625881 and 3.131256 – 4.28601 m/s, respectively. Meanwhile, the prevailing wind directions vary from one division to another but mainly between south and east. This, this study strongly recommends the Chittagong division for the utilization of the potentiality of wind energy.