Efficiency of Small Wind Turbines in the Desert of Chad for Water Pumping at Kouba Olanga

Access to drinking water and electricity is a major challenge in desert regions like Kouba Olanga in Chad. Renewable energy, in particular wind power, offers a promising solution for pumping water and improving living conditions for local populations. Kouba Olanga, located 740 km from N'Djamena, suffers from a crying lack of water and electricity. The average annual wind speed of 4.64 m/s offers significant wind potential for pumping water. Water is of vital importance for both humans and animals that drink from the same water source. The study uses Weibull and Rayleigh distribution functions to determine wind probability densities. Wind speed analysis shows wide bandwidths and high speeds. Three small pumping turbines were selected for application on site: VESTASV15, VESTASV10 and AEOLOS-H30. The AEOLOS-H30 wind turbine has the best capacity factor with an annual average of 0.39, exceeding international standards. The VESTASV15 and VESTASV10 wind turbines have capacity factors below the standard (0.26). The AEOLOS-H30 wind turbine generates a maximum daily water flow of 3,000 m3/day and an annual average of 1,729.4 m3/day at a head of 50m. The other wind turbines have lower outputs: VESTASV15 with an annual average flow of 1466.7 m3/day and VESTASV10 with a maximum flow of 600 m3/day. The use of the AEOLOS-H30 wind turbine for water pumping in Kouba Olanga is proving to be an effective and sustainable solution for access to drinking water. Wind energy offers great potential for developing rural areas and improving living conditions for populations in desert regions.