Principais características do regime de vento na Paraíba e a evolução temporal dos indicadores eólicos no Nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

The energy matter is, without a doubt, one of the biggest concerns nowadays. Quality of life and environmental protection requires search for renewable technologies to increase energy supply without degrading the environment. Although the Brazilian energy matrix is mostly hydraulic, this security depends on the rainfall regime. In the Brazilian Northeast, energy from wind has been growing more than other renewable sources, with a large share in the national energy matrix, in addition to being a technology that induces employment and local income. In this context, we sought to establish the main characteristics of the wind regime, in seven locations in the State of Paraíba, and diagnose the evolution of wind indicators in the Brazilian northeast, with these determinations being the main objectives. We also bring the following specific objectives: a) establish the temporal and seasonal regime of wind speed in Paraíba and b) estimate the potential wind speed and wind power density at 100 m above the ground. To carry out this work, hourly, daily and monthly data on wind speed and direction were used, measured at automatic meteorological stations, installed 10 m high, in the cities of Areia, Campina Grande, Cabaceiras, Camaratuba, Monteiro, Patos and São Gonçalo, belonging to the National Institute of Meteorology and available on the website. The hourly, daily and monthly speed profiles were interpolated, using specific equations, for heights of 50 and 100 m, equivalent to the height of the wind turbine propeller. The other indicators, referring to wind energy and/or other energy sources, were extracted from publications and/or directly from the websites of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the National Electric Energy Agency, the Brazilian Wind Energy Association, among others. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics criteria and using the Excel spreadsheet. The main results shows that the indicators of the spatial and temporal regimes of wind speed, in the State of Paraíba, have intensity, kinetic energy and wind power density suitable for generating wind energy, especially in the months of the spring equinox and solstice summer, being larger in the afternoon shift (from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm), for the cities of Areia, Patos, Campina Grande and Monteiro and smaller in Cabaceiras, Camaratuba and São Gonçalo. Wind energy is the second most important renewable source in the national electricity matrix and the Northeast is emerging as a promising region and has the largest number of wind farms in operation, granted and under construction. The per capita criterion made it possible to establish wind indicators by inhabitants and territorial area. Further research is recommended, prioritizing the technological evolution of wind turbines, reducing socio-environmental impacts and expanding rural and urban residential uses. Keywords: Wind energy; renewable energy, assessment of wind potential; energy; sustainability