Assessment of offshore wind potential in Morocco. (6th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laaouidi, H.; Nachtane, Mourad; Tarfaoui, Mostapha; Trihi, Mourad
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy technology and policy. Volume 17:Number 5(2021)
• Page Start: 423
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2021-12-06
• Subjects: offshore wind energy -- wind turbine -- the wind potential -- wind power density -- Weibull distribution function -- electricity production; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; 621.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-8923

Abstract

In this research, a specific study on the evaluation of wind energy resources along the Atlantic coast of Morocco has been developed, utilising numerical modelling data. To evaluate the spatial distribution of wind power, 18 data points were chosen along this coast. Moreover, the adjustment of wind data and the statement of estimation methods related to form and scale parameters of the Weibull distribution was conducted after a thorough literature review. Then, a study and analysis of wind data based on its speed and direction were carried out, taking into account a five-year period between 2013 and 2017. These study findings denote higher energy production in areas where there is no physical barrier all along the Atlantic coast, whereas, in the extreme north and southern sites, the energy resource is considerably lower because of the shadow effect of the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands, respectively.