Renewable Energy, Vol.5, Part I. pp. 583-586, 1994 • ~ s,~,,,,P°r"*m'~n Elsevier Science Ltd

Printed in Great Britain 0960-1481/94 $7.00+0.00

SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL AND UTILIZATION IN PAKISTAN

lftikhar A. Raja and Riazuddin S. Abro*

Department of Physics, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan

*Building Science Research Unit, School of Architectural Studies, University of Sheffield, U.K.

ABSTRACT

Pakistan needs substantial amount of energy to develop its industry and to increase the agricultural productivity. The available indigenous energy resources are limited. The only option which the country has to pursue is renewable energy. This paper identifies the potentials of solar and wind energy. The prime sites for wind are coastal area, arid zone and hill terrains. Solar energy is abundant over most part of the country, maximum being received over Quetta valley.

KEYWORDS

Solar energy, Wind energy, Energy conservation, Renewable energy, Clean energy resources.

INTRODUCTION

Every day the human race consumes a million of billion kilojoules of energy by burning fuel. The available energy sources are oil, gas, coal, nuclear and wood. The fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) provide 85% of the world's commercial primary energy, while 4% comes from nuclear [1]. The world's potential reserves of fossil fuels are limited and will one day run out. Their high consumption rate over the last few decades has already offset the existing reserves. Wood is an important energy source in developing countries. Its vast use has lead to the deforestation and desertification. Recently a profound environmental degradation has been realised as a result of deforestation and burning of fossil fuels. The future contribution from nuclear does not seemed to be much because of high safety requirements, associated health hazards and public perception of risk. Chemobyl accident has badly affected the nuclear industry. New installations in many countries have either been delayed or stopped. It is therefore essential to look for alternate energy resources. An option that the world could pursue is renewable energy. Among different forms of renewables, solar and wind energy resources are the most promising. These are inexhaustible and non polluting. There are no unsolvable technical barriers to their widespread implementation. The environmental impact and cost to the damages caused by fossil fuels also argues strongly to pursue renewable energy option. Such measures will not only conserve the fossil fuel reserves for their better end use but will also make substantial contribution to the environment.

For comprehensive evaluation of solar and wind energy resources large data base is essentially needed. The world-wide data for wind speeds and solar radiation at present is very scant. The situation in developing countries is even worse. In Pakistan there are only six observatories recording solar radiation. This paper evaluates solar and wind energy potentials of the country and identifies the potential areas. Progress made in utilizing the renewable energy sources over the last decade are also accounted.

ENERGY SITUATION IN PAKISTAN

Pakistan is a developing country. Like many developing countries, the main issue of development is the limited energy resources. The production of electricity is mainly based on thermal and hydro. A minor contribution comes from a low power (137 MWe) nuclear plant. The thermal power stations mostly use the imported oil. The country seeks increased industrialization, agriculture productivity and better quality of life of the people. This has increased the demand for commercial energy considerably. Total

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commercial energy supply position for the year 1981-82 to 1986-87 is shown in Figure 2, the shaded area marks the shortage [2]. The figure also demonstrates the oil, imported and produced in the country. Total energy supplied during 1988-89 was 22.79 MTOE with share from oil 40% [3]. Oil production accounts for only 12% of the total oil supply, the rest being imported.

In order to improve the energy situation, some steps have been taken for efficient utilization of renewable energy. Solar and wind have received particular attention [2,4,5]. Since 1981, eighteen PV systems for rural electrification and/or water supplies have been installed which are shown in Table 1. There are four desalination plants, including a 6000 gallon per day for Pakistan Navy. Out of seven wind systems, two generates 18 KWp and five are used for water pumping. Apart from solar and wind, biogas has also made mentionable contribution [6].

SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY POTENTIALS

¢gntour M a ~

In order to demonstrate the spatial distribution of solar and wind energy potentials of Pakistan, contour maps for peak winter and summer months i.e. January and July, and for the annual mean values are drawn. Iso-lines for the wind speed are constructed using the measured data from 59 observatories maintaining an interval of lms-1 between the two consecutive lines. The iso-radiation maps are based out measured and estimated values [7] of global solar radiation from 40 locations. An interval of 1.0 MJ m -z in contour heights is maintained. The locations are marked with "o" sign on the maps.

Discussion - The Potentials

There are two main seasons, winter and summer, which dominate the climate of Pakistan. Therefore, solar and wind energy potentials of the country may broadly be divided according to lhese two seasons. Map§ in Figures 3-8, show the distribution of average global insolation (MJ m -z d "t) and wind speed (ms -x ) for the months of January and July and the annual mean values. January and July are taken as representative of winter and summer seasons respectively. These maps provide rough guide to the distribution of solar and wind energy resources of Pakistan. January maps (Figures 3 & 4) represent typical winter distribution with latit~din~tl distribution pattern and strong south-north gradient. The least values of insolation (8.0-9.0 MJ m -z d - ' ) occur over high mountains in the extreme north. The cloudy sky characteristics of mountain are mainly responsible for such low values. The iso-lines are nearly ~arallel, except over the mountainous part of Quetta valley. The lowest mean wind speed, around 1.0 ms-

occurs in the extreme northern region and over most part of Punjab. The highest average value of 3.0 ms- 1 of the wind speed is observed along the coastal region and a part of Balochistan.

The favourable meteorological conditions and longer day length lead to highest daily insolation of the year (22.0 to 30.0 MJ m -~2 d -1) during summer (Figure 4). The contour pattern is changed to nearly longitudinal over the mountain along the western border. Wind condition is also improved as demonstrated in Figure 6. The major contribution comes from disturbances in the s~a and high temperature in the arid and semi arid region. The wind blows with a mean speed of 3.0 ms -~, throughout the country except over a small region i.e. upper punjab and extreme northern part of the country. The coastline and lower Sindh, receive the highest monthly average wind speed of 4.0-5.0 ms- x. The iso-lines distribution along the coast is latitudinal. Figure 1 shows various locations of Pakistan.

The annual mean values of insolation, as shown in Figure 7, lie between 16.0-21.0 MJ m-2d -1. Most parts of the country receive 19.0 MJ m-2d -1. Annual mean wind speed as in Figure 8, lies between 1.0-3.0 ms- 1. The wind blows at an average speed of 3.0 ms-1 along the coastline, lower Sindh, Nokkundi and Dalbundin. The least value of 1.0 ms ' l occurs over Lahore and Faisalabad region. The energy of the wind is usually taken as cube of its velocity. Therefore, the maps showing average wind speeds provides a rough guide to the national distribution of wind energy resource. Desert regions (arid and semi arid) are particularly suitable for solar/wind combine system because of their high proportion of cloudless days and relatively strong wind. Aridity prevails over two third of the country [7]. Coastal and off-shore regions have high potential as compared to interior. Topography and terrain features are also important factors, hill being particular examples of prime sites. Quetta valley receives maximum solar radiation of the year.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

Thanks to Professor P. Tregenza of the School of Architectural studies, University of Sheffield, for providing facilities to Dr I. A. Raja and thanks to architect M. J. Hussain for drawing the maps.

REFERENCES.

1. M. Nicklas, Energy Politics: Can we achieve a sustainable energy path, Solar Energy, vol, 50(4), (287-296) 1993. 2. Energy Year Book 1987, Directorate General of New and Renewable Energy Resources. Government of Pakistan.

3. Economic Survey of Pakistan 1989-90, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad 4. I. A. Raja and M. G. Douggar, Solar energy research and development in Pakistan, Sc. Tech. Dev. vol.9(1/2), (90-96)1991. 5. PCSIR, Annual Report 1989-90, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Karachi, Pakistan. 6. R. S. Abro and I. A. Raja, Pakistan and Biogass Technology, World Renewable Energy Congress - III, Sep. 11-16, 1994, Reading, U.K. 7. I. A. Raja, Assessment of solar Radiation in Pakistan, Phd thesis, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K.

Table 1: Photovoltaic systems installed by DGNRER.

Station Capacity/Batteries Comments

PV Systems

i• Mumniala (Gujar Khan)

2. Kankoi (Swat)

3. Miro Padiar 4. Mera Rehmat

Khan (Abbottabad) 5. Malmari (Thatta) 6. Nasirabad

(Northern Areas) 7. Sundus (Skurdu) 8. Khurkhera

(Lesbela) 9. Baiker (Bugti) 10.Lehtar (Kharan) ll.Sharozai(Kharan) 12.Dittal Khan

Laghari (Mirpur Khas) 13.Dhoke Mian Jewan

(Jhelum) 14.Gakhar (Attock) 15.Qila Moj Garh

(Bhawalpur) 16•Masuri Pur(Swat) 17.Bughat (Loralai) 18.Nautani (Kharan)

WIND SYSTEMS

i. Khurkhua (Lasbela) 2KWp 2. Malmari (Thatta) 16KWp 3. Khurkhua (Lasbela) 4. Fai Mohammad (Dadu) 5. Bagh Kando (Dadu) 6. Dhori (Thatta) 7. Chachro

DESALINATION

2 . Vajuto (Tharparkar) • Gwadar

3. Manbai-Jo-Tar (Chachro) 4. Islamkot (Hederabad

8.0 KWp/1000 AH Electric supplies and water pumping

56.0KWp - Domestic/Street light and Water pumping.

18.5KWp/2700 AH - Domestic Electricity• 18.0KWp/1500 AH - Domestic electric

supplies 10.0KWp - Domestic ligthing. 20.0KWp/2400AH - Electricity

20.0KWP/2400AH - Domestic lighting 8.8KWp Water supplies for

domestic~cattle use 5.0KWp/1200 AH - Water supplies

20.0KWp Domestic lighting 10.6KWp Electric supplies 20.0KWp/1500 AH Electricity

38.6KWp/1700 AH - Domestic/Street lights.

57.2KWp/3000 AH - Domestic electicity 48.4KWp/2400 AH - Lighting/water

pumplng. 10.0KWp - Electricity 40.0KWp - ~ighting. 25.1KWp

- Aerogeneration - Aerogeneration - Water pumping - Water Pumplng - Water Pumplng - Water pumplng - Water pumzng

- 250 Gallons/day 6000 Gallons/day 250 Gallons/day 250 Gallons/day

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