Wind power utilization for water pumping using small wind turbines in Saudi Arabia: A techno-economical review

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

An attempt has been made, may be first time in Saudi Arabia, to utilize power of the wind for pumping the water for remotely located inhabitants not connected with national power grid. Small turbines of 1-10 kW have been chosen in conjunction with Goulds 45 J model water pumps to produce energy from wind and pump water using the produced energy at Arar, Rawdat Ben Habbas and Juaymah localities in Saudi Arabia. Wind speed measurements made at different heights using 40 m tall towers have been utilized in the present work. Higher wind speeds were noticed during summer time compared to winter time at all the locations. Both energy yield and cost of energy point of view, 2.5 kW wind turbine from Proven was found to be most suitable for wind power generation at all sites. It is shown that annual total water pumping capacity of 30,000 m 3 is possible from a depth of total dynamic head of 50 m when using 2.5 kW Proven wind turbine with hub heights 15-40 m at all three sites with cost of water pumping as low as 1.28 US¢/m 3.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4470-4478
Number of pages9
JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Volume16
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) through the Science and Technology Unit at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) for funding this work through Project no. 09-ENE778-04 as part of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan.

Keywords

  • Economical
  • Green house gases
  • Renewable energy
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Water pumping
  • Wind energy
  • Wind speed

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

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