Exploring the Contribution of Wind Energy to the Electrical Load at Wadi Alshatti University

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11382647

Abstract

In this study, the hourly electrical consumption of the department of mechanical engineering and renewable energies at Wadi Al-Shati University was estimated, along with assessing wind speeds at the site to leverage wind energy to cover part of the electrical load during power outages. The results demonstrated the economic viability of using medium and small-capacity wind turbines at Wadi Al-Shati University due to the presence of suitable wind speeds, allowing for the cost-effective exploitation of wind energy. 6 kW wind turbines coupled with storage batteries can be used to ensure a continuous electricity supply. The annual consumption of the department was found to be 5,993 kilowatt-hours, with an average weekly consumption of about 580 kilowatt-hours. The annual productivity from the turbines reaches 9,171 kilowatt-hours, with a shortfall of 284 kilowatt-hours in electricity. Economically, the capital cost of the project was $7,818, and the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) was estimated at $0.074 per kilowatt-hour.