Feasibility of the use of the Single Exponential Smoothing method (SES) to forecast wind speed values for wind power generation to achieve sustainability in Trinidad

Published in: Engineering for a Smarter Planet: Innovation, ITC, and Computational Tools for Sustainable Development: Proceedings of the 9th Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology
Date of Conference: August 3-5, 2011
Location of Conference: Medellin, Colombia
Authors: Davatee Maharaj
Refereed Paper: #58

Abstract

The global drive for clean, sustainable, renewable energy has become the ultimate objective of most progressive countries in the world. There is an urgent need for Trinidad and Tobago to adopt the new culture of renewable energy due to the dwindling fossil fuel resources and the impact of this fuel on human development and the environment. Through investing in alternative energy, the vast problems created by the diminishing energy reserves could be minimized. Additionally, alternative energy could be the essential ingredient to promote economic growth of the country since the economy of Trinidad and Tobago depends solely on fossil fuel resources. Sustainable development is attained by meeting the present needs while at the same time, placing measures to fulfill the future needs of the country. Therefore, reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind energy, could be essential for sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago. This paper examines the viability of the Single Exponential Smoothing (SES) method to forecast wind speed values required for wind power gen The predicted average annual value of the wind speed is correlated with the actual average annual value of the wind speed for a ten year period in achieving sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago.