Wind atlas reveals true extent of wind energy potential in

An Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) project, funded by the World Bank and developed by DNV GL, has issued a preliminary wind atlas for three countries: Zambia, Tanzania and Maldives.

 

The wind atlas aims to reveal the true extent of wind energy production potential in each of the three countries.

DNV GL’s early test results have revealed opportunities, with extensive wind flow modelling in Zambia, Tanzania and Maldives indicating “great wind energy production potential”.

According to a company statement, the governments of the aforementioned countries will be able to use the maps to develop policies and strategies for wind energy. The maps are also an important tool for attracting investors and developers.

Next phase for wind atlas

These maps form part of Phase 1 of the ESMAP project, which began in June 2014 and is set to run until 2018.

The next phase of the project will involve the installation of met masts at various locations in each country to allow experts to collect real wind data for a period of two years.

DNV GL will train local companies to be able to build and maintain these masts in the future. The final stage involves creating a redefined and validated meso-micro wind atlas for each country, combining the models with real-life measurements.

Daran Rife, DNV GL’s Global Head of Mesoscale Modelling said: “The idea behind these projects is to discover the potential of renewables in these countries, with all key outputs and datasets being made publicly available through the Global Atlas for Renewable Energy that is being developed by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).”

Assessing renewable energy

ESMAP is implementing a major global initiative designed to support renewable energy resource assessment and mapping for biomass, small hydro, solar and wind.

It has allocated $22.5 million to support 12 country projects over a four-year period up to 2018.

The Global Atlas for Renewable Energy is an initiative that is coordinated by IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Its aim is to close the gap between nations with access to the means needed to evaluate their national renewable energy potential, and those countries lacking such a capability.

As of January 2015, 67 countries and more than 50 institutes and partners contributed to the initiative.