Evaluation of Energy Output for a 50 MW Coastal Wind Farm in Sirte, Libya Utilizing the System Advisor Model

الملخص

The main purpose of the proposed study is the assessment of electrical energy generation that a planned wind farm (50 MW) in the coastal zone of Sirte, Libya is supposed to produce. The research design was based on the incorporation of integrated modeling system (System Advisor Model - SAM) and the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) to obtain the accurate wind speed at geographic location (31.215 oN, 16.363 oE). The basic design decision of the system was chosen as the Enercon E-82 wind turbines of the 2.3 MW capacity per unit. Results indicated the annual generation of electricity of about 143.06 GWh with a capacity factor of 32.66%, of which the most seasonal variance is the production is highest during winter (52.8%), and steadily declines during the summer months (22.1%). January and February had the highest performance with 52.8 percent capacity factor and 634 MWh production and 34.4 percent capacity factor and 328 MWh production respectively. August on the other hand had the lowest performance with 21.6 percent capacity factor and 259 MWh production. The findings verify the technical viability of wind energy in the Mediterranean coastal Libya area, but the seasonal variation brings the necessity of the use of hybrid systems or the energy storage technologies to develop the power grid. The research will be useful in supplying baseline information to future wind farms in North Africa and helping Libya to shift towards diversification of its renewable energy.