Characterization of Wind Energy Potential and Power Density Distribution across Coastal Zones of Southern Nigeria

International Journal of Physics | Vol. 2, No. 7, July 2011 | pp. 52–59

DOI: 10.46882/2011/IJP/000019

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Characterization of Wind Energy Potential and Power Density Distribution across Coastal Zones of Southern Nigeria

Names of Authors: C. U. Chiemeka¹, E. N. Lindqvist²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; ²Department of Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark, Roskilde, Denmark

Abstract: Expanding renewable energy infrastructure requires accurate, long-term assessment of wind speed variations and available wind power densities across regional terrains. This study evaluates the wind energy potential across four coastal locations in Southern Nigeria using a ten-year meteorological dataset (2000–2009) collected at a hub height of 10 meters. The wind speed distribution profiles were modeled using the two-parameter Weibull distribution function, with shape parameters (k) and scale parameters (c) estimated via maximum likelihood methods. The data show that the mean annual wind speed varies between 3.8 m/s and 5.4 m/s, with peak velocities recorded during the monsoon months of July and August. The highest annual wind power density was observed at the coastal station in Lagos, reaching 145.2 W/m², while the lowest was recorded in Calabar at 62.4 W/m². Extrapolating the wind profiles to a typical commercial turbine hub height of 80 meters increased the estimated power density to 320.5 W/m² in the prominent coastal zones. This profile classifies the Southern coastal strip as a Class 2 wind resource environment, indicating that it is highly suitable for small-to-medium scale wind farm development and decentralized power grid integration.

Keywords: Wind energy assessment; Weibull distribution; Power density; Coastal meteorology; Renewable resource; Scale parameter; Wind turbine; Power grid integration.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: April 12, 2011; Revised: May 25, 2011; Accepted: June 18, 2011; Published: July 09, 2011.

Citation: Chiemeka, C. U., & Lindqvist, E. N. (2011). Characterization of Wind Energy Potential and Power Density Distribution across Coastal Zones of Southern Nigeria. International Journal of Physics, 2(7), 52–59.

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