University Links: Home Page | Site Map
Covenant University Repository

Assessment of Solar and Wind Power Resources in a Tropical City in SW Nigeria- (7°47''N, 4°29''E) for Viability of Hybrid Power Applications

Adegoke, C. W. and Olatona, G. I. (2015) Assessment of Solar and Wind Power Resources in a Tropical City in SW Nigeria- (7°47''N, 4°29''E) for Viability of Hybrid Power Applications. In: 2nd Covenant University Conference on African Development Issues (CU-ICADI), 11th - 13th May, 2015, Africa Leadership Development Center, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria..

[img] PDF
Download (477kB)

Abstract

The solar radiation over Osogbo (7°47''N, 4°29"E), a typical town in South West Nigeria, was estimated from measured sunshine hours with a view to determining the available solar energy for deployment of solar photovoltaic technology applications. The sunshine hours' data were obtained from Nigerian Meteorological Office (NIMET), Osogbo. The monthly average solar radiation ranges from 12.55MJm.2day·1 in August to 18.63MJm.2day·1 in December. In fact only July and August have values less than 15MJm.2day·1 . This is due to the heavy cloud cover at the peak of the rainy season which prevents sunshine from reaching the earth's surface. However, similar analysis of daily wind speeds at the same location shows an annual mean wind speed of 3.5m/s at 1Om height with peak values of about 4.9m/s occurring correspondingly at the peak of the rainy season (July/Aug. - time of lowest solar radiation). This study therefore shows that wind power can properly compliment Photo Voltaic (PV) applications since maximum wind power resources occur at a time corresponding to lowest PV performance resulting from heavy cloud cover. Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in form of Battery Bank accumulator can be used to overcome the well-known variability of wind power by storing energy at periods of high wind speeds which occur, albeit sporadically, but usually at night times when solar energy becomes unavailable. In a pilot scheme, a modem wind turbine with low cut-in speed of 3m/s was installed at 18m height at College of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Osun State University Osogbo to compliment a 400Wp Solar Module and a 4.8KW-hrs Battery Bank/Inverter system to form a robust and more reliable hybrid alternative power system. This system has been used successfully to support emergency power requirements of college laboratory and office equipment during periods of grid power outages. The study establishes that wind resources of wind power class (WPC) 2 and above can properly compliment small-scale PV systems to overcome lower performance challenges during periods of heavy cloud cover. While available solar radiation and its variation in Osun State and SW Nigeria in general is better known, on the other hand, there is a need to embark on a state-by-state wind resource mapping of the entire country (through long-term measurements of wind speeds with anemometers across the entire country) especially for other areas of greater reliefs which abound in the country and which are expected to have higher wind speed regime potentials than this particular study location. 371

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics
T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Civil Engineering and the Environment
Depositing User: Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited: 21 Jun 2015 18:25
Last Modified: 15 Sep 2015 20:25
URI: http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/5274

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item