Wind energy potential of Algeria

Mean wind data for 64 stations, 48 of which are located in Algeria and 16 in neighbouring countries has been used to establish the wind energy map of Algeria at a height of 10 m. It is found that the wind speed varies between 1 and 6 m/s, The windy regions are located at the west south of Algeria, in the Sahara. Statistical analysis of the data for 21 stations located at various topographic locations in Algeria have been carried out and the daily and yearly variations of wind speed have been established. The Weibull parameters and power density of the stations have been determined using the hybrid Weibull distribution. Finally, wind speeds obtained in Algeria prove that it is interesting to set up some wind systems for agricultural applications. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.