Open Access

ARTICLE

Analysis and Assessment of Wind Energy Potential of Socotra Archipelago in Yemen

Murad A. A. Almekhlaf¹, Fahd N. Al-Wesabi^2,3,*, Imran Khan⁴, Nadhem Nemri⁵, Khalid Mahmood⁵, Hany Mahgoub⁶, Noha Negm⁷, Amin M. El-Kustaban⁸, Ammar Zahary⁹

1 Department of Electrical Engineering – Communication Engineering, Sana’a University, Yemen
2 Department of Computer Science, King Khalid University, Muhayel Aseer, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
3 Faculty of Computer and IT, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen
4 Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, P. O. B 814, Pakistan
5 Department of Information Systems, King Khalid University, Mayahel Aseer, KSA
6 Computer Science Department, King Khaled University, KSA & Faculty of Computers and Information, Computer Science Department, Menoufia University, Egypt
7 Computer Science Department, King Khaled University, KSA & Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Menoufia University, Egypt
8 Electronics Department, Faculty of Engineering, UST, Sana’a, Yemen
9 Faculty of Computer and IT, Sana’a University, Yemen

* Corresponding Author: Fahd N. Al-Wesabi. Email:

Computers, Materials & Continua 2022, 70(1), 1177-1193. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmc.2022.019626

Received 20 April 2021; Accepted 23 May 2021; Issue published 07 September 2021

Abstract

The increasing use of fossil fuels has a significant impact on the environment and ecosystem, which increases the rate of pollution. Given the high potential of renewable energy sources in Yemen and the absence of similar studies in the region, this study aims to examine the potential of wind energy in Socotra Island. This was done by analyzing and evaluating wind properties, determining available energy density, calculating wind energy extracted at different altitudes, and then computing the capacity factor for a number of wind turbines and determining the best. The average wind speed in Socotra Island was obtained from the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority data, only for the five-year data currently available. The results showed high wind speeds from June to September (9.85–14.88 m/s) while the wind speed decreased for the rest of the year. The average wind speed in the five years was 7.95 m/s. The average annual wind speed, wind energy density, and annual energy density were calculated at different altitudes (10, 30, and 50 m). According to the International Wind Energy Rating criteria, the region of Socotra Island falls under Category 7 and is classified as ‘Superb’ for most of the year. This study provides useful information for developing wind energy and an efficient wind approach.

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Keywords

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