Comparative Analysis Of Renewable Energy Sources For Power Generation In Nigeria

ABSTRACT

A comparative analysis of renewable energy sources for power generation in Nigeria is presented. The three renewable energy resources of solar radiation, wind energy and hydro power were investigated for six locations (Northwest, Northeasth, North-central, Southwest, Southeast and South-south) representing the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. The Hargreaves and Samani model was used to investigate the solar energy potential of the study locations of Sokoto, Maiduguri, Makurdi, Ibadan, Awka and Portharcourt using maximum and minimum temperature data at these locations over a period of ten years (2001 to 2010). The wind speed characteristics and wind energy potential of the six selected locations were investigated using the Weibull probability distribution model. The hydro power potentials of Otamiri River and Imo River were investigated using energy flow equation. The results of the solar energy resource analysis shows that the mean value of global solar radiation at Sokoto, Maiduguri and Makurdi are (18.55 ± 0.54) MJm-2day-1, (19.83 ± 0.60) MJm-2day-1 and (17.80 ± 0.30) MJm-2day-1 respectively over this ten years period. Ibadan, Awka and Portharcourt revealed mean values of global solar radiation of (16.68 ± 0.36) MJm-2day-1, (17.40 ± 0.28) MJm-2day-1 and (17.46 ± 0.19) MJm-2day-1 respectively. The mean value of global solar radiation in the Northern region of Nigeria is (18.73 ± 0.32) MJm-2day-1 while that of the Southern region is (17.18 ± 0.18) MJm-2day-1. The result of the wind resource analysis shows that: the annual mean wind speed at Sokoto, Bauchi, and Lokoja are 4.33, 4.37 and 4.52m/s respectively while that of Abeokuta, Owerri and Portharcourt are 2.76,3.35 and 3.27m/s respectively. The annual mean power density for Sokoto, Bauchi and Lokoja are 49.14, 59.56 and 69.94Wm-2 while that of Abeokuta, Owerri and Portharcourt are 14.22, 25.77 and 23.67Wm-2 respectively. The results of the analysis on the hydropower resource potential for Otamiri River at Nekede station is 1.68MW while that of Imo River at Umuna Okigwe station is 2.02MW. The annual energy output for Otamiri River and Imo River at their respective study stations are 13.46GWh and 18.65GWh respectively. Of the three renewable energy resources analysed in this study, solar energy provides the best option for “green” power generation in Nigeria due to the fact that a relatively high energy density can be obtained from it.