Temporal dynamics of energy production at the Taïba Ndiaye wind farm in Senegal

Abstract

Abstract The study presented in this article focuses on the temporal dynamics of wind energy production at the Taïba Ndiaye wind farm in Senegal, with a capacity of 158.7 MW. The monthly and seasonal distribution of production shows a strong trend, with maximums recorded between December and May (winter and spring) at around 1800 MWh, and minimums between July and November (summer and autumn) with production below 500 MWh. The diurnal cycle representation exhibits variation with a marked cycle, particularly between November and April. Night-time production is higher than daytime production by more than 43%. The effects of 100-m wind on the farm production are also analysed and show a positive correlation between wind speed and production throughout the year. Production peaks observed in winter and spring are caused by strong winds (approximately 8.5 m/s), while the lowest levels recorded during the summer season are due to weather conditions characterized by weak winds (less than 4 m/s). Similarly, optimal wind directions are observed in winter and spring, periods of maximum production, when the winds blow between the northwest and northeast.