Wind resource assessment and energy potential of selected locations in Fiji

• Published in: Renewable energy 2021-07, Vol.172, p.219-237
• Main Authors: Dayal, Kunal K., Cater, John E., Kingan, Michael J., Bellon, Gilles D., Sharma, Rajnish N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy potential; Fiji; Ocean, Atmosphere; Power density; Sciences of the Universe; WAsP; Wind resource assessment
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.03.034

This study summarizes an assessment of the wind resource at selected locations in Fiji for the potential of future utility-scale wind-power development. We use 2–8 years of near surface wind observations (2011–2018) from thirty automatic weather stations. The standard wind-industry software, WAsP is used to simulate the wind resource in terms of mean wind speed, dominant wind direction, power density and annual energy production (AEP) using a Vergnet 275-kW wind turbine. Our analysis identifies three sites: Rakiraki, Nabouwalu and Udu, which should be considered for a future comprehensive resource assessment for utility-scale wind-power development once further wind resource data is available. High-resolution resource maps for each wind resource parameter at a horizontal resolution of 50 m are produced for 6 km×6 km domains around these sites. Rakiraki, Nabouwalu and Udu have average wind speeds of 7.6 m/s, 7.1 m/s and 7.0 m/s, with an average power density of 401 W/m2, 512 W/m2 and 294 W/m2, and a potential average AEP of 0.91 GWh, 0.80 GWh and 0.72 GWh at 55 m AGL, respectively. The dominant wind direction is southeasterly. Modelling a 10 MW wind farm at each site yields a net AEP of 43 GWh, 42 GWh and 37 GWh for Rakiraki, Nabouwalu and Udu, respectively with capacity factors of 0.42–0.48 and wind farm efficiencies of 97–98%. •Assessment of wind resource and energy potential for new onshore locations in Fiji.•Three potential sites of Rakiraki, Nabouwalu and Udu identified.•Sites have potential for future utility-scale wind-power development.•Each site can accommodate a 10 MW wind farm using Vergnet 275-kW wind turbines.•Modelling a 10 MW wind farm at each site yields an AEP of 43 GWh, 42 GWh and 37 GWh.