Wind speed data analysis used in installation of wind energy conversion systems in Algeria

Wind energy is quickly becoming a major player among today´s electricity producers. Due to increasing environmental awareness and to have sustainable system, Algeria is also looking forward to using the wind power to generate electricity. There is an Algerian and German cooperation concerning the CO2 emission purchase planned by the Kyoto protocol. The Algerian Government has been promoting the use of renewable energy (wind energy, solar, biomass, geothermal, etc.) by means of a series of laws and official programmes. This paper utilized wind speed data over a period of almost 10 years between 1977 and 1988 from three stations, namely Adrar, Timimoun and Tindouf. The analyses include the variation of seasonal and diurnal wind speed values. The annual energy output and capacity factors were also estimated for WECSs of different sizes between 150 and 1300 kW. It was noticed that Adrar is the best location among the sites considered, for harnessing the wind power, while Timimoun is the second best location and Tindouf is placed at number three.