Estudio preliminar de un parque eólico complementario en Ecuador: caso Pimo provincia del Azuay

Abstract

The demand of electrical energy in Ecuador is in constant growth, this means that new energy resources must be searched to supply this demand and at the same time to increase the portfolio of generation sources. One of these alternatives is wind energy which, together with solar energy and hydroelectricity, has achieved important technological development and generates less impact on the environment. According to the National Energy Balance, in 2017, in the Ecuadorian electric sector the total energy production came from 73.64% of renewable energy, of which 71.76% is hydraulic and 0.26% is wind. Although most of Ecuador's electricity generation comes from hydropower, the problem with this type of source is that even with two different and partially complementary hydrographic basins (Pacific and Amazon), there are months in which hydrology is reduced throughout the national territory, specifically during the last quarter of the year. The present project proposes the location of a wind farm located in a place where the wind speed is maximum or at least representative in the months from September to January, that is, complementary to hydrology. Based on previous studies carried out by CELEC EP, there are several sites in Ecuador where it is presumed that the wind has a complementary behavior to hydroelectricity, during the mentioned time of year. This paper presents the preliminary study of a complementary wind farm in Ecuador and focuses on the town of Pimo, canton Cuenca, Azuay province.