Solar and Wind Energy Potential Study of Lower Sindh, Pakistan for Power Generation

Authors: M. Akhlaque Ahmed, Sidra A. Shaikh, Maliha A. Siddiqui

Abstract:

Global and diffuse solar radiation on horizontal surface of Lower Sindh, namely Karachi, Hyderabad, Nawabshah were carried out using sunshine hour data of the area to assess the feasibility of solar energy utilization for power generation in Sindh province. The results obtained show a large variation in the direct and diffuse component of solar radiation in summer and winter months in Lower Sindh (50% direct and 50% diffuse for Karachi and Hyderabad). In Nawabshah area, the contribution of diffuse solar radiation is low during the monsoon months, July and August. The K_T value of Nawabshah indicates a clear sky throughout almost the entire year. The percentage of diffuse radiation does not exceed more than 20%. In Nawabshah, the appearance of cloud is rare even during the monsoon months. The estimated values indicate that Nawabshah has high solar potential, whereas Karachi and Hyderabad have low solar potential. During the monsoon months the Lower part of Sindh can utilize the hybrid system with wind power. Near Karachi and Hyderabad, the wind speed ranges between 6.2 m/sec to 6.9 m/sec. A wind corridor exists near Karachi, Hyderabad, Gharo, Keti Bander and Shah Bander. The short fall of solar can be compensated by wind because in the monsoon months of July and August, wind speeds are higher in the Lower region of Sindh.

Keywords: Hybrid power system, power generation, solar and wind energy potential, Lower Sindh.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1126521

References:

[1] Angstrom, A., “Solar and terrestrial radiation.” Quarterly Journal of Royal Meteorological Society, Volume 50, pp: 121–6, 1924.
[2] Black J. N, Bonython C. W and Prescett J. A., “Solar radiation and duration of Sunshine,” Q. J. R Metero. Soc.; Volume 80: pp: 231-235, 1954.
[3] Glover, J and McCulloch, F., “The empirical relationship between solar radiation and hours of sunshine.” Q. J. R. Met. Soc. 84: 359 pp: 56-60, 1958.
[4] Gopinathan, K. K. “A new model for estimating total solar radiation. Solar and Wind technology.” Volume 5: 1 pp: 107 – 109, 1988.
[5] Liu, Y. H and Jordan, R. C. “The inter relationship and characteristic distribution of direct, diffuse and total solar radiation from metrological data.” Solar Energy. Volume 4, pp: 1-19, 1960.
[6] Tiwari, G. N and Suleja, S. “Solar Thermal Engineering System”, Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, India, 1997.
[7] Page, J. K. “The estimation of monthly mean values of daily short wave radiation on vertical and inclined surface from sunshine records of latitude 40-degree N to 40-degree S.” 1964.
[8] Liu, Y. H and Jordan, R. C. The inter-relationship and catechistic distribution of direct, diffuse and total solar radiation. Sol Energy. 1979; 22: 87-90
[9] Sabbagh, J. A., Sayigh, A. A. M. and El. Salam, E. M. A. “Estimation of the total solar radiation from meteorological data.” Solar Energy Volume 19, pp: 307-311, 1977.
[10] Frere et al. “Graphs given in A.A Flocas paper Estimation and prediction of Global Solar Radiation over Greece”. Solar Energy. Volume 24: pp:63-70, 1980.
[11] Rietveld M R. A new method for estimating the regression coefficients in the formula relating solar radiation to sunshine. Agricultural Meteorology 1978; 19:243–352.
[12] Gueymard C, Jindra P, Estrada-Cajigal V. Acritical look at recent interpretations of the Angstrom approach and its future in global solar radiation prediction. Solar Energy 1995; 54(5):357–63.
[13] Iqbal M. An introduction to solar radiation. Toronto: Academic press, 1983.
[14] Duffie, J. A. and Beckman, W. A. “Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes.” John – Wiley & Sons. New York. 1991.
[15] NASA, http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse/, viewed: 8/10/2012.
[16] M. Akhlaque Ahmed, F. Ahmed, M. W. Akhtar. Wind characteristics and wind power potential for southern coast of Sindh Pakistan. J. Basic and Appl. Sci: 2010, 6(2), 163-168.