Wind Power potential in Kigali and Western provinces of Rwanda

Authors

  • Otieno Fredrick Onyango Maasai Mara University
  • Sibomana Gaston Kigali Institute of Science and Technology
  • Elie Kabende Kigali Institute of Science and Technology
  • Felix Nkunda Kigali Institute of Science and Technology
  • Jared Hera Ndeda Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18034/apjee.v2i1.221

Keywords:

Probability density function, Wind power density, Wind speed

Abstract

Wind speed and wind direction are the most important characteristics for assessing wind energy potential of a location using suitable probability density functions. In this investigation, a hybrid-Weibull probability density function was used to analyze data from Kigali, Gisenyi, and Kamembe stations. Kigali is located in the Eastern side of Rwanda while Gisenyi and Kamembe are to the West. On-site hourly wind speed and wind direction data for the year 2007 were analyzed using Matlab programmes. The annual mean wind speed for Kigali, Gisenyi, and Kamembe sites were determined as 2.36m/s, 2.95m/s and 2.97m/s respectively, while corresponding dominant wind directions for the stations were ,  and  respectively. The annual wind power density of Kigali was found to be  while the power densities for Gisenyi and Kamembe were determined as and . It is clear, the investigated regions are dominated by low wind speeds thus are suitable for small-scale wind power generation especially at Kamembe site.

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Author Biographies

  • Otieno Fredrick Onyango, Maasai Mara University

    Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Maasai Mara University, KENYA

  • Sibomana Gaston, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology

    Department of Applied Physics, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, RWANDA

  • Elie Kabende, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology

    Department of Applied Physics, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, RWANDA

  • Felix Nkunda, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology

    Department of Applied Physics, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, RWANDA

  • Jared Hera Ndeda, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology

    Senior Lecturer, Department of Physics, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology, KENYA

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Published

2015-06-30

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2015): January - June Issue

Section

Articles

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How to Cite

Onyango, O. F. ., Gaston, S. ., Kabende, E. ., Nkunda, F. ., & Ndeda, J. H. . (2015). Wind Power potential in Kigali and Western provinces of Rwanda . Asia Pacific Journal of Energy and Environment, 2(1), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.18034/apjee.v2i1.221

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