Abstract:
Wind speed and wind direction are the most important
characteristics for assessing wind energy potential of a
location using suitable probability density functions. In this
investigation, a hybrid-Weibull probability density function
was used to analyze data from Kigali, Gisenyi, and
Kamembe stations. Kigali is located in the Eastern side of
Rwanda while Gisenyi and Kamembe are to the West. Onsite hourly wind speed and wind direction data for the year
2007 were analyzed using Matlab programmes. The annual
mean wind speed for Kigali, Gisenyi, and Kamembe sites
were determined as 2.36m/s, 2.95m/s and 2.97m/s
respectively, while corresponding dominant wind directions
for the stations were 3200
, 1800 and 1500
respectively. The
annual wind power density of Kigali was found to be
13.7W/m2
, while the power densities for Gisenyi and
Kamembe were determined as 18.4W/m2and 24.4W/m2
. It
is clear, the investigated regions are dominated by low wind
speeds thus are suitable for small-scale wind power
generation especially at Kamembe site.
