Wind resource investigation of Terengganu in the West Malaysia

Abstract

The analysis of wind data collected from the Renewable Energy Research Center, University Malaysia Terengganu (RERC UMT) using NRG Symphonie data retriever in Kuala Terengganu between the years 2004 and 2007. The RERC UMT station is located at 4°13.6′ N and 103°26.1′ E. Wind data were recorded at a height of 18 m above the ground level. This paper presents wind characteristics of the study site in Terengganu. The daily, monthly and annual wind speed values have been studied together with their prevailing direction. The monthly average wind speed and yearly mean wind speed for Kuala Terengganu ranged from 2.0–5.2 m/s and 2.9 m/s respectively. Northeast monsoon season (November to March) mean wind speed was 3.9 m/s for the same period. The average Weibull shape parameter k and scale parameter c were 1.76 and 3.21 m/s respectively for this period. The wind power is lowest during southwest monsoon season and highest during the northeast monsoon season (mean value 84.60 W/m2). The wind energy density is lowest at 11.33 W/m2 in June 2005, highest at 154.02 W/m2 in January 2007. The monthly average wind energy density and probability of wind to exceed of electricity generation wind speed 2.5 m/s were found as 40.52 W/m2 and 0.51 based on Weibull distribution, respectively. The annual average turbulence intensities were 0.58 and no significant seasonal variation in turbulence intensity was observed. In conclusion, wind energy could be used to provide power during the northeast monsoon season at the study site, using small (kW range) wind machines.