Technical and Economic Potentialities of the Development of Electric Wind Pumping Systems in the North Region of Cameroon

International audienceIn the present work, the potential of wind electric pumping systems (WEPS) utilization has been investigated for eight localities of the North Region of Cameroon, using long-term satellite-derived data and measured data at 10 m height above ground level (agl). Statistical indexes of accuracy performed the comparison between measured and satellite-derived data. The results suggested that satellite-derived data can accurately represent measured data. Furthermore, satellite-derived data can be suitable to assess the wind resource when measured ground level data are missing. The two-parameter Weibull Probability distribution function (PDF) and parabolic law were utilized, respectively to model wind speeds characteristics and wind turbines power curve. Four wind turbines (WT), represented by WT1, WT2, WT3 and WT4, with a rated capacity of 20 kW and a 30 m tower, were considered to simulate the power output and energy produced. The results showed that annual power densities at 10 m agl, for Bashéo, Beka, Figuil, Garoua, Pitoa, Poli, Rey-Bouba and Touboro were, respectively, 29.74, 17.45, 33.64, 17.94, 22.28, 11.99, 16.46 and 15.98 W/m2, while corresponding energy densities were 0.71, 0.42, 0.81, 0.43, 0.53, 0.29, 0.40 and 0.38 kWh/m2/day, in that order. Annual average frequencies for wind speeds greater or equal to WT’s cut-in wind speeds for each of the eight sites were determined. The greatest probability of observing higher wind speeds is for the site of Figuil, .This site showed the best combination of capacity factors (CF), costs of energy (COE), costs of water (COW) and flow rate capacity, At the opposite, the greatest probability of observing lower speeds is for the site of Poli that displayed the worst values of CF, COE, COW and flow rate capacity independently of the WT used. As a result, choosing WT for low wind speeds sites, would require to combine location wind resource and WT characteristics such as cut-in and rated wind speeds in order to take full advantage of costs of energy and water produced