Assessment of Feasibility of Wind Pumping For Village Water Supply and Irrigation in Ethiopia
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Date
2010-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In this project three consecutive years wind speed data measured five times a day for
more than thirteen stations from NMSA is used to predict the wind distribution pattern of
the country. Based on the day time data, the most probable night time data is generated
using appropriate software (HOMER), hence year round hourly data is generated for all
stations along with statistical wind distribution model weibull shape and scale
parameters. Based on the wind potential assessment, wind pumping feasibility is done for
water supply and irrigation for a hypothetical model community at three different
locations having similar topography as that of the representative sites. For pre determined
daily water demand and varied water well depth, wind pump sizing is done for each
application.
Following the technical feasibility, economic analysis is done to compare with that of
diesel pumping system. Cost analysis model is prepared using excel, in which system
sizing and cost estimation are done. The life cycle cost, break even and unit water cost at
different delivery head for pre determined daily flow rate is calculated based on given
financial parameters for both systems. The unit water cost for wind pumping and diesel
pumping at typical delivery head of 20m for mekele, Jijiga and Assosa are found as 5.66,
6.71 and 7.01birr/m
3
. In
addition breakeven for wind pumping at typical delivery head of 20m occurs 1.9 years
after the system becomes operational. Hence, the result shows that wind pumping is
found to be more economical for water supply and irrigation than diesel pumping for
stations having average wind speed 2.5m/s and above in the critical month.
respectively, where as diesel pumping costs 25.10birr/m
3
In general at low hydraulic load wind pumping is best economical than diesel pumping
for monthly average wind speed 2.5m/s and greater in the critical month. In this regard,
the country wind potential assessment shows average monthly and annual wind speed
above 2.5m/s is found extensively in Ethiopia, which strengthens the feasibility of wind
pumping in the country.
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Keywords
Water Supply, Irrigation, Wind Pumping, Ethiopia