Caracterização do vento e potencial eólico no estado de Alagoas

Abstract

The use of wind kinetic energy for the generation of electric energy is nowdays one of the most important alternatives, given its low environmental impact and renewable characteristics. Given these information, this work had as its main goal to investigate the wind characteristics aiming the use or eolic resources in four different places of the state of Alagoas. For that, the preferential spped and direction of the winds were determined, and that way also the quantity of energy expected and the capacity factor. The statistical treatment of the wind speed was determined by Weibull distribution, with the aid of WAsP (Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program), for the height of 50 meters and an area of 10 x 10 km. The study was made with data obtained from january untill december 2008, for four different anemomic towers. Two installed in the coastal area (Maragogi and Roteiro) and two deeper into the state lands, one in the Agreste (Girau do Ponciano) and one in the Sertão (Água Branca). The results indicated that the higher averaged wind speeds were found inland, opposed to the coast. The wind direction showed little variability in the places studied, and were mainly southeastern and east-northeastern. Between the places analysed, Girau do Ponciano and Água Branca presented higher estimates for Annual Generated Energy, with values of 7,97 and 8,55 Gwh, respectively, and capacity factor above 55%. The local potency estimated by the aerogenerator was superior to 500 W/m2 in these two places, which are considered good places for the instalation of eolic generators, while in the coast values above 100 W/m2 are considered reasonable for this use.