Technical Assessment of Wind Energy Potentiality in Malaysia Using Weibull Distribution Function

Abstract

In this paper, an assessment of the wind characteristics and wind power potentials in three different stations (Chuping, Kuantan and Melaka) in Malaysia has been analyzed at 80 m height. The assessment technique was based on the two-parameter Weibull distribution function over three recent consecutive years (2018-2020) while aiming to establish the potentiality of the wind as a source of power generation in these sites. The results demonstrate that the monthly highest mean wind speeds were 4.42 m/s, 2.96 m/s and 2.17 m/s at Melaka, Kuantan and Chuping, respectively. The highest most probable wind speed was 4.70 m/s and the wind speed carrying maximum energy was 1.74 m/ both speeds occurred at Maleka in 2019. The yearly highest Weibull shape parameter was 1.69 and the scale parameter was 2.96 m/s. Among the three stations, Melaka has shown the highest wind power potentials with an average value of 26.10 W/m2 followed by Kuantan with 12.71 W/m2 and Chuping with 6.80 W/m2 wind power density. The corresponding wind energy densities were 595.58 kWh/m2/year, 111.37 kWh/m2/year and 228.65 kWh/m2/year for Chuping, Kuantan and Melaka station, respectively. The prevailing wind directions are northeast at both Kuantan and Melaka station, west and southwest direction at Chuping station. It is therefore concluded that the potentiality of the wind power of the sites covered in the present study is only feasible for small-scale power generations.