Statistical Quality Control Analysis of Wind Energy Potential for Power Generation in Benin

Abstract

Energy has been and will continue to be the driver of economy of a nation. In sharp contrast, our country Nigeria is being faced with energy poverty. This may accrue to, in fact, over reliance on conventional energy sources such as hydro power, fuels and gas etc. So, there is need to take into consideration the renewable energy as potential alternative for power generation. This work seeks to assess the wind energy potential of Edo state using a statistical method: statistical quality control technique. The detailed knowledge of the wind characteristics at a site is very crucial to install and estimate the performance of a wind energy project. The monthly and yearly highest mean wind speeds were 3.28 and 2.91 m/s respectively. The most probable wind speed and wind speed carrying maximum energy were estimated 2.84 and 4.53 m/s in 2015. Result revealed that the wind speed are statistically in control. That is, the speeds of wind fall in between their respective upper and lower limits for 2015 - 16. The result of the study revealed that the wind energy potential of Edo state is quite low for electricity generation based on the two-year wind data analysed. It is suggested that this research area should be intensified by collecting wind speed data at various locations sufficient to define its potential for power generation.