THE THESIS PROPOSAL

PROJECT TOPIC:

PLANNING AND DESIGN OF A 40 MW

WIND FARM AT TEMA, GHANA

Author:
Mathias B. Michael

Master’s Thesis
Renewable Energy Engineering
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

JUNE, 2008

Project Supervisor:
Dr. Wolf G. Fruh
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

1
PROJECT BACKGROUND

This thesis is proposed to carried-out as a final stage of my MSc. Programme

in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the school of Engineering
and Physical Sciences. Wind is simple air in motion, it is caused by the
uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun. Since the earth’s surface is
made of different types of land and water, it absorbs the sun’s heat at different
rates. Today, wind energy is mainly used to generate electricity. Wind
energy is also world’s fastest growing energy source and is a clean and
renewable source that has been in use for centuries. Wind energy is a clean
energy source as electricity generated by wind turbines do not pollute the air
or emit pollutant like other energy sources. Wind farm is group of wind
turbines in the same location used for production of electric power. Individual
turbines are interconnected with a medium voltage power collection system
and communications network.

Wind energy development is increasingly becoming popular, currently about

93,849 MW of electricity is generated globally. The 40MW wind energy
development in Ghana will go a long way to save the energy situation in
Ghana. Energy crisis in Ghana requires urgent solution. The design aspect of
the project looks at the technicalities of wind farm which includes wind turbine
siting where the positions of the wind turbine will be optimised for best wind
captivity. Generation, transmission and storage of power, whiles the planning
deals with the environmental, legal and socio-economics issues. The power
would be transmitted from the generation site to the grid through a 5km over
head transmission line. Power quality is a very important factor so far as wind
energy development is concerned. For that reason, energy storage plant
(Compressed-Air Energy Storage) would be installed to compensate for short
peak demand as well as maintaining steady output of the distribution network.
The environmental impact assessment would be carried out and the report
would be presented to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Socio-
economic assessment report of the proposed project would be submitted to

2
the Energy Commission. The contingent valuation method would be used in
the environmental cost analysis survey.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Ghana is suffering from serious energy shortage for the decade as a result of
serious draught in South Saharan Africa and the dramatic increase in
population which leads to increase in annual growth of electricity demand.
The conventional hydro-power plant which is the main reliable power
generating plant is now generating only about 65% of the country’s electricity
demand which is about 70% of its generation capacity. Although, there are
number of thermal electricity generation plants which produce a total of
550MW representing 32 percent of the current electricity supply and the
106MW Mini Hydro supporting the national grid, but their capacity do not meet
the national demand due the following constraints; poor availability, high fuel
price and the environmental constraint. This power shortage has resulted a
serious power rational for the period of decade and consequently led to the
closure of some heavy industries in Tema which has significantly affected the
economy of Ghana. However, Tema has a considerably amount of wind
energy potential. Therefore, the main aims and objectives of this project is to
utilised the potential wind energy at Tema to generate a 40 MW electricity
power to support the medium voltage side of the electricity network at Tema.
The project aims at supplying power to the residential and light commercial
network in the Tema Municipality, in order to divert more of the power supply
by the conventional hydro power plant to the heavy industrial network which
has the highest demand.

3
METHODOLOGY

1. Preparatory work

Research on the existing wind farms, the background information, the

theory behind the project. Study the characteristics and utilization
possibilities of existing wind farms. Explore the possibilities for
adopting principles of existing wind farms.

2. Methodology for eliciting the system requirement specification

The following minimum criteria would be used in order to evaluate if the

purpose of the thesis is successfully achieved:

• Operating requirement
• General Requirement
• Material, Equipment
• Qualified wind Turbines
• Wind resource and turbine siting
• Output meter
• Storage system

3. Design methodology

This consists of the design analysis thus the feasibility of the following:
Available wind energy potential on the candidate sites
Site assessment, which include visual inspection, Topographic survey,
a study of the local road network and land investigation for potential
litigation
• Design analysis of the wind farm model for overall system performance
verifications.
• Design model for network integration

4
• Design the computer model of overall distributed generation, for
simulation and optimization with software tool (PSCAD 4.2)

4. Methodology for data acquisition

• The preliminary data collection would be obtained by the

following methods:
• Site location – site map from National Geographical Department
of Ghana
• Site topology – visual inspection on site visit
• Wind resource data – on request from Meteorological
Department of Ghana
• Environmental data – on request from EPA
• Electrical data – by request and interview from Electricity
Company of Ghana
• Legal information – by request from Ghana Energy Commission

• The final data collection would be the performance data of

various alternative designs and the method is by means of
computer modelling with a software tool (PSCAD 4.2)

5. Methodology for evaluating results

• Statistical method would be used to analyse the wind resource data.

• Environmental and economic policies would be used to assess the
environmental impact and socio-economics of the proposed project
• The PSCAD 4.2 would be used to model and simulate the performance
of the candidate designs.

5
SCOPE

The work to be carried out is summarized as follows:

• Specify basic and overall requirement and characteristics of the
proposed wind farm.
• Study the characteristics and utilization possibilities of existing wind
farms. Explore the possibilities for adopting principles of existing wind
farms.
• Acquisition and analysis of data on electricity demand (loads)
schematic layout of electricity network and distribution in Tema.
• Data acquisition and analysis on wind resource of the candidate sites,
identify site or area which offers the potential for a suitable wind
resourse by using a combination of maps of the area and the results of
statistical modelling.
• Site assessment, which include visual inspection, Topographic survey,
a study of the local road network and land investigation for potential
litigation.
• Design analysis of the wind farm model for overall system performance
verifications.
• Design model for network integration
• Design the computer model of overall distributed generation, for
simulation and optimization with software tool (PSCAD 4.2)
• Economic analysis of the proposed wind farm.

The planning activities include:

• Environmental impact assessment and report
• Socio-economic analysis of the proposed wind farm, which includes
the environmental cost analysis.
• Legal assessment report.

6
Work Breakdown Structure

project

Initial
Site Planning
Site selection Environmental
Assessment consultation
Analysis

Project Environmental Start of public

Feasibility On-site survey
assessment consultation

Preparation of
Continue statutory Continue
Assessment environment consultation
Assessment
assessment

Planning Submission of planning application and environment

Application statement

Tasks definition
1. Site Assessment covering wind resource, electrical connection,
access requirements, site capacity and ownership
2. Initial environmental analysis covering planning framework,
landscape classification, visual effects, ecology, recreation and
telecommunications
3. Preliminary consultation; local planning authority and major
consultees
4. On-site surveys covering wind resource, existing land uses, site
access, ground conditions, electrical connection and draft design

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Logic Diagram

4A 5A

1 4B 5B 6 7 9 10 11

4C 5C 8

Tasks definition
Code Task
1 Research
2 Functional specification
3 Design specification
4 Preliminary data collection
5 Project Feasibility
6 Preliminary design
7 Design evaluation
8 Data collection
9 Data analysis and simulation
10 Alternative design
11 Final design
12 Preparation of statutory environment and socio-economic assessment
13 planning application

Work schedule
The thesis start date is 2nd June 2008 and expected to complete on 29th
August 2008. The Gant chart attached explains the detail of schedule.

8
 Activity duration start date finish date
1 Research 14d Mon 02/06/08 Thu 19/06/08
2 Functional Specification 2d Mon 16/06/08 Tue 17/06/08
3 Design Specifications 2d Thu 19/06/08 Fri 20/06/08
4 Preliminary data collection 30d Mon 02/06/08 Fri 11/07/08
5 Design analysis 14d Fri 04/07/08 Wed 23/07/08
6 Preliminary design 7d Wed 23/07/08 Thu 31/07/08
7 Data acquisition 30d Mon 16/06/08 Fri 25/07/08
8 Design Testing 2d Mon 04/08/08 Tue 05/08/08
9 Simulation & Analysis 2d Wed 06/08/08 Thu 07/08/08
10 Final design 1d? Fri 08/08/08 Fri 08/08/08
11 Environ. & Socio-economic analysis 3d Mon 11/08/08 Wed 13/08/08
12 Thesis writing 40d Tue 01/07/08 Mon 25/08/08
13 Thesis submission 1d Fri 29/08/08 Fri 29/08/08

Gant Chart

ID T a s k N a m e D u r a tiSo tna r t
0 2 J u n ' 0 80 9 J u n ' 0 81 6 J u n ' 0 82 3 J u n ' 0 83 0 J u n ' 0 80 7 J u l ' 0 8 1 4 J u l ' 0 8 2 1 J u l ' 0 8 2 8 J u l ' 0 8 0 4 A u g '0 18 1 A u g ' 0 18 8 A u g ' 0 8
TFSSMTWTFSSMTWT FSSMTWT FSSMTWTFS SMTWTFSSMTWTFSSMTWT FSSMTWT FS SMTWTFSSMTWTFSSMTWTF
1 R e s e a r c h 1 4 d Ma yo s n 0 2 / 0 6 / 0 8
2 F u n c t i o n a l S p2 e d c aMi fyi sco an ti 1o 6n / 0 6 / 0 8
3 D e s i g n S p e c 2 if id c a aT yt hsi ou n 1s 9 / 0 6 / 0 8
4 P r e l i m i n a r y d3 a0 t ad Mac yo sl nl e 0c 2t i/ o0 n6 / 0 8
5 D e s i g n a n a l 1y s4 i sd aF y r s i 0 4 /0 7 / 0 8
6 P r e l i m i n a r y d 7 e sd iaWg y nse d 2 3 / 0 7 / 0 8
7 D a t a a c q u i s 3it 0i o dn Ma yo s n 1 6 / 0 6 / 0 8
8 D e s i g n T e s t i2 n gd aM y so n 0 4 / 0 8 / 0 8
9 S im u l a ti o n & 2 A dn aWa yl yse s d i s 0 6 / 0 8 / 0 8
10 F in a l d e s i g n 1 d a Fy ?r i 0 8 /0 8 / 0 8
11 E n v i r o n . & S o3 c di oaM- yeso c no n1 o1 m/ 0 i8 c / 0 a 8n a ly s i s
12 T h e s i s w r i t i n4 g 0 d Ta yu se 0 1 / 0 7 / 0 8
13 T h e s i s s u b m i 1s sd iaoF y nr i 2 9 /0 8 / 0 8

RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk Likelihood Impact Risk

category Description (%) Days level

9
 late
Preliminary Data Acquisition on; wind resource ,
Data electrical load, distribution network
collection plan, topographical, environmental 15 6 High
legal information of proposed site,
(Ghana)
Data Computer modelling; not expect in
analysis the use of WAsP programme 5 0 Low
Design Complete computer modelling of
modelling distribution generation network;
availability of software. Only 5 users 20 4 Low
available on PC Cal.
Supervision Consultation; 10 15 High

Risk Reduction

The following below are the ways to reduce the risk:

• Employ one person in Ghana to assist in data collection

• Base decisions on models and simulations of key technical
parameters
• Use mature and alternative available computer-aided system
engineering tools
• Use parallel development on high-risk tasks
• Seek outside specialist for critical review and assessment of
work
• Minimise system complexity
• Use design margins

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

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 • Economic viability; costs of electricity cheaper than the conventional
Hydro and Thermal electricity

• Considerable amount of CO2 emission would be saved

• Energy security at Tema municipality would be improved

REFERENCES

1. AHMED SHATA. A.S and HANITSCH. R Electricity Generation and

Wind Potential Assessment at Hurghada, Egypt, Publisher: Science
Direct, 2007, www.sciencedirect.com
2. AEROTEK JS co., Wind-Photovoltaic Power Solution.
http://www.aero-tek.eu/wind.html
3. AEROTEK JS co., Wind-Photovoltaic Power Solution

11
 http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html#
history

4. Ghana Wind Energy Resource Mapping Activities

http://swera.unep.net/typo3conf/ext/metadata_tool/archive/download/g
hanawindreport_gh_245.pdf
5. Global wind energy outlook, September 2006
http://www.gwec.net/fileadmin/documents/Publications/Global_Wind
Energy_Outlook_2006.pdf
6. Wind regimes of Africa, Comparative Evaluations of wind data from
selected countries. 2004 http://www.afriwea.org/download/R-
WindAfrika_010404_engl.pdf
7. TWIDELL John and WEIR Tony, Renewable Energy Resource (2nd
Edition), Publisher: Taylor & Francis, 2006, Uk
8. MANWELL. J.F, McGOWAN and ROGERS. A.L, Wind Energy
Explained (Theory, Design and Application), Publisher: John Wiley &
Sons Ltd. 2006, USA
9. Matching Renewable Electricity Generation with Demand (Report from
Edinburgh University to Scottish Executive)
http://www.viewsofscotland.org/library/docs/MREWD.pdf

INFORMATION NEEDED

ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION IN TEMA

The following data is needed from the Tema branch of Electricity company of Ghana.

• Map of distribution network of Tema

• Electricity supply to domestic network
• Electricity supply to industrial network

1. Hourly electrical load of Tema

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 Electricity Consumption
Hour Total (KWh)
Domestic Industrial
(KWh) (KWh)

13
0000
0100
0200
0300
0400
0500
0600
0700
0800
0900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
2100
2200
2300
0000

Total

2. Monthly electricity consumption

Electricit Consumption Total

Month y (KWh)
Domestic Industrial
(KWh) (KWh)
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug

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Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

3. The line diagram of electricity network distribution of Tema.

4. Any other relevant information regarding electricity power generation.

GHANA WIND RESOURCE DATA

The following information can be obtained from the Energy Commission, Ghana, or
the Meteorological Services Department, Ghana:

1. Wind atlas of Ghana and Tema

2. Wind data of coast of Ghana, both raw data and processed wind data.

THE SITES

The three photos of selected vast undeveloped lands at outskirt of Tema

including one from Ningo-Prampram.

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