Feasibility of wind pumping for irrigation in Bangladesh ,using multiattribute decision analysis

Abstract

Multi attribute model has been developed to make strategic decision regarding feasibility of wind pumping for irrigation in Bangladesh. Analytical hierarchy process is used to analyze qualitative factor related with decision making and Brown and Gibson method was modified to consider the quantitative factors related with decision making. To compare a wind pumping system with diesel and electric pump a locally made wind pumping system is considered and annual useful amount of energy is calculated by writing Computer program. A statistical analysis of wind characteristic and investigation of feasibility of wind to drive a hand pump has been carried out. The available wind data collected by a project work financed by LGED in the year 2003 on different stations is hereby analyzed. It is observed that in different regions, there is reasonable wind speed available throughout the year to drive a hand pump. From the data velocity frequency tables are prepared and histograms have been plotted for every month for different stations and compared with each other. The wind speed distribution is processed and fitted to the Weibull function to determine the nature of wind regime for that site. The shape factor (k) and scale factor (c) of Weibull function are also determined. Then the Weibull function F(v), Weibull density function f(v) and velocity distribution function S(v) are plotted from the observed values for each month for different regions. The wind energy concentration (Wh/m2) has also been calculated. When the financial benefits of locally made wind pump is compared with diesel and electric pump, it is shown that wind pump is less favorable than diesel and electric pump. But when only qualitative factors are considered wind pumping system get highest preference. Combined analysis of quantitative factors and qualitative factors has shown that wind pumps get highest preference. As weight-age of quantitative factors increased, wind pumps get less preference but as weight-age of qualitative factors increased wind pump get best preference. The model developed can provide a guideline to the future researchers, how to compare different pumping system.