Abstract:
Aim: To investigate wind characteristics and estimate wind power density of Narok weather station
in Narok county using Weibull distribution.
Research Design: Historical hourly wind direction and speed data recorded by the Kenya
Meteorological Department in Narok weather station was analyzed.
Place and duration: The study utilized data samples collected at Narok weather station over a
period spanning from 2011 to 2021.
Methods: To assess the temporal characteristics, a statistical average technique was employed.
The spatial aspect, specifically wind speed variation with height, was evaluated through wind speed
extrapolation using the power law. The dominant wind direction was determined by plotting a polar
chart based on a frequency distribution table prepared using both wind direction and wind speed
data. The turbulence intensity of the wind was calculated using the turbulence intensity equation.
Original Research Article
Okoth et al.; J. Energy Res. Rev., vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 35-46, 2023; Article no.JENRR.105889
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The Weibull parameters were estimated using the maximum likelihood estimation method. The
Weibull probability distribution was used to analyze wind speed distribution and power density. The
extrapolated Weibull parameters were utilized to calculate wind power density at various heights.
The accuracy of the wind regime distribution in Narok was assessed by employing the R2
technique.
Results: The wind regime in Narok exhibited an average annual wind speed of 4.3 m/s and a mean
wind power density of 126 W/m2. Analysis of diurnal wind speed variation revealed peak wind
speeds around noon, with wind speeds exceeding the cut-in wind threshold (3 m/s) between
0430hrs and 2100hrs. March and October were identified as the windiest months, exhibiting the
highest wind power densities, while June and December demonstrated the lowest values. Wind
speed and, consequently, wind power density increased exponentially with height. The prevailing
wind directions in Narok were primarily from the East, followed by the North and North West. The
wind regime in Narok exhibited turbulence, as indicated by average turbulence intensities
exceeding 0.25. The wind regime in Narok was accurately described by the Weibull distribution,
with an approximation accuracy of 0.94 based on the R2 error.
Conclusion: The wind regime in Narok is generally suitable for extracting wind power at heights
above 15 m, regardless of the scale of the wind power extraction.
Keywords: Narok; wind speed; wind power density; wind turbine; Weibull probability distribution
function.
