Investigating possible wind energy potential to meet the power shortage in Karachi M.M. Aman a,n , G.B. Jasmon a , A. Ghufran b , A.H.A. Bakar c , H. Mokhlis a,c a Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia b Department of Electrical Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan c UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D UM, University of Malaya, 59990 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia article info Article history: Received 26 March 2012 Received in revised form 10 October 2012 Accepted 10 October 2012 Available online 28 November 2012 Keywords: Renewable energy Wind energy potential Load demand Karachi abstract Electricity is always considered as an important ingredient for development of a country. Energy deficit affects the growth rate of the country and causes discomfort to the consumer. The power shortage in Karachi, the largest city and economical hub of Pakistan, is highly hampering the progress of the city. Presently the energy deficit in the city is around 328 MW. This paper presents an analytical analysis of incorporation of small residential windmills to reduce the power shortage in Karachi. To estimate the wind energy potential in the city, four years wind data is collected from Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) at various heights (10 m, 30 m, 50 m, 75 m and 100 m). The statistical calculations on wind data using SPSS software show that the city has an enormous wind potential available. A case study is also carried to show the effect of incorporation of small residential wind mills in power system. The results shows 1678 MW h of energy could be saved if 50% of residential consumers are equipped with small windmills. The paper also discusses the possible resistance in the introduction of small residential windmills in domestic sector. The potential benefits to the utility and consumers are also presented in this paper. & 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 529 2. Overview of Karachi electricity supply company (KESC) ................................................................... 531 3. Wind power potential calculations .................................................................................... 532 3.1. Wind power density (W/m 2 ) calculations ......................................................................... 532 3.2. Wind generator sizing ........................................................................................ 533 3.3. Effect of temperature, pressure and humidity on wind turbine performance (exergy analysis)............................... 533 4. Life cycle assesment of standalone PV-wind and diesel system ................................................................... 534 5. Wind energy potential of Karachi ..................................................................................... 536 6. A case study on wind potential analysis and utilization ................................................................... 536 7. Challenges in implementing wind mills for domestic consumers ............................................................ 538 7.1. Cost ....................................................................................................... 538 7.2. Proper site survey ........................................................................................... 538 7.3. Power quality ............................................................................................... 539 7.4. Zoning..................................................................................................... 539 7.5. Health impacts .............................................................................................. 539 7.6. Development of Standards for domestic windmill installation: ........................................................ 539 8. Benefits to power utility company (KESC) and electricity consumers ......................................................... 539 8.1. Meeting power demand ....................................................................................... 540 8.2. Transmission line congestion and future cost ...................................................................... 540 8.3. Eco-friendly environment ..................................................................................... 540 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 1364-0321/$ - see front matter & 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.10.018 n Corresponding author. Tel.: þ60 3 7967 5348. E-mail addresses: mohsinaman@siswa.um.edu.my, mohsinaman@gmail.com (M.M. Aman), ghauth@um.edu.my (G.B. Jasmon), andaleebg@neduet.edu.pk (A. Ghufran), halim5389@gmail.com (A.H.A. Bakar), hazli@um.edu.my (H. Mokhlis). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 18 (2013) 528–542