POTENTIAL FOR WIND ENERGY UTILISATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Todos Petru, Sobor Ion, Chiciuc Andrei Technical University of Moldova E-mail: todos@mail.utm.md, sre.utm@mail.md, chiciuc@mail.md

Abstract: UNO considers the process of climate change as one on the biggest problem the people will have in the XXI century. This effect is determined by essential modifications which occur in the atmosphere, changes which, in the last decade of the XX century, have achieved a dangerous level for the normal rhythm of life evolution of the whole World. The article mentions the possibilities of using the wind energy in the existing climate and economical conditions in the Republic of Moldova, and as well of reducing the green house gases GHG emissions, the results of producing the electrical and thermal energy.

1. Introduction Technological progress of this century based on big scientific discoveries declines dynamism without future in the economic and social life, in societys evolution. The rhythm of economic development was determined by the utilisation of fossil fuel energy. Nowadays, we can see that these fantastic progresses were at the same time generated by the big problems existing in the human history, till modern poque. The civilization entered into direct conflict with environment, with natural support of personal existence and world life, not only through exhausting the natural resources of energy but in general through destroying the quality of environment factors water, air, soil. The modern accelerated development increases the pressure above the Nature from which we remain dependent. New forms of environment balances reducing the ozone stratum of stratosphere and warmly atmosphere began to damage significantly the ecosystems, the population health, etc.

In this limit situation we need to act urgently and radically and to avoid eventual ecological crisis and to assure a durable medium of development for future generations. In the process of solving these problems all countries will be implicated, indifferently of their territorial dimension or economic potential they have. Being a house of all people around the world, the Terra should be well-planned and protected by common power. In this work we will try to give arguments of using the possibilities of wind energy (renewable energy sources) in the climate and economic conditions of the Republic of Moldova and, to reduce GHG emissions, the results of producing the electrical and thermal energy, adding solutions for other problems which keep the assurance of energetical security of the country. 2. History of wind energy utilisation. The Republic of Moldova has such a geographical placement that only some areas on its territory benefit of favourable

winds for the development of the wind energy system. The statistical data shows that until the massif use of the stream engines and the utilisation of those with internal combustion the wind mills had an extremely wide spreading on the territory of the current Republic of Moldova. In 1901 there were attested 6208 wind mills, distributed upon the counties in this way: Bli 299; Chiinu 980; Tighina 907; Soroca 371; Orhei 626 etc. Most of the mills, of pyramidal type, were stretched in a chain on the hills, many of these mills ran also in the period between those two World Wars. During the 50es of the past century, in the republic there were more than 350 mechanical wind installations, exclusively destined to the pumping in the water supply systems, and to the fodder preparation at the collective agricultural farmsteads. These were air-generators with many blades and the nominal output of 6,2 horse powers (4.56kW) at the estimated wind speed 8 m/s. They ran with enough efficiency, being replaced gradually, in the period of 1960 1964, by more convenient and cheaper in the exploitation electrical systems. The entire rural electrification, that took place in this period, and the very low prices for electricity excluded the wind energy from the competition. At present, only a few experimental wind installations of light output run in the republic, used for the production of electricity in the autonomous conditions. In the last decade, along with the ten times increase of the price for the energy resources, the interest in renewable energy sources increased considerably, and its use may increase in proportions in the forthcoming future. 3. The implementing potential At the actual level of development, the commercial wind energy conversions technologies, the locations that assure an

average yearly speed at the wind turbine axes altitude of 7 m/s and more with the specific wind energy higher than 350 W/m2. On these criteria it may be concluded that the Republic of Moldova has quite extended zones with a favourable for energetic exploitation wind potential, of which the most important are: the Tigheci heights, the Nistru regions heights, the Ciuluc hills, the central tableland of Moldova, a great part of the hills territory in Cahul and Taraclia counties. After some minute evaluations, perspective locations may be emphasized also in the considered favourable zones. That is some predominant hills in the proximity of accumulation lakes (Dubsari, Ghidighici, Ialoveni etc). The favourable conditions for transportation and the relatively cheap access to the public electrical network, in the Republic of Moldova are ensued thanks to the developed networks of roads and electrical lines. The distances from the eventual locations to the covered road are at the most of 5 to 6km. An eventual electrical line to couple the power plant with the networks of 10 kV also will not exceed the 5-10 km length. These factors will allow the considerable diminution of the necessary for the setting up of the wind power plant's expenses. Meteorologically, the most appropriate lands for locations are the combs and the slopes of the hills. These lands, usually arid, with a reduced fruit-fullness, are less favourable for the agriculture, serving only for grazing. The price of these lands will be minimal, and their restoration for utilization will not need additional expenses. Considering the following circumstances the specific nature of the electrical load distribution on the republic's territory, the limited area of locations with good meteorological conditions and of the

grounds that may be withdrawn of the agricultural circuit, and also the small financial possibilities of the population - it is considered that the WEPs with an installed capacity of 10-15 MW will have a larger spreading in the Republic of Moldova. After a minute examination of about 50 scenarios of equipping some eventual WEPs with made by European firms air-generators, it was concluded that, in the Republic of Moldova's conditions, the most efficient are the air - generators with an installed capacity of 0.6 - 1.5 MW, the specific nominal energy of 350 -600 W/m2 and the tower's height of 70 - 95 m. The price for the energy produced at this power plant is of about 5 cents/kWh, a favourable economical price even at the current price of delivering electricity to the consumers. Where placement conditions are most favourable, the price of the produced by the power stations energy will be of 4 - 4.5 cents/kWh. 4. Potential of reducing GHG through using wind installations. Each kWh of electricity produced at the wind farm substitutes one kWh produced at the thermo-electrical central plant after firing some respective quantity of organic fuel (coal, petrol or natural gas). In these conditions it is easy to estimate pollutant gas quantity evaded on the results of using wind energy. The Program of the Republic of Moldova of RES implementing and the National strategy for sustainable development guess the covery of 2% from the total consume of primary energy till 2010 after using the wind energy, which consist about 130 thousands t.c.e. per year. Equal volume of electric energy, corresponding to this quantity of coal, we can consider, one year the optimum specific consume, characteristic for modern TPP (Thermal Power Plant) of 0,35 kg. c.e./kWh consists 370 million kWh.

Replacing a part of electric energy produced at thermal power plant with energy produced at wind energy plant, we obtain an appreciate medium profit with evading over 260 thousands tones of RES directly and about 2 thousands tones of RES indirectly, inclusive SO2 and NOx, which have very difficult impact on population health, but through acidic sediment it outcomes the degrade of woods and agricultural plants. Damages, causing by emissions of SO2 and NOx, are appreciated to 6000 Euro/t . Supplementary profit, avoid the mention emissions, is estimated to 12,2 mln. euro/year. Reducing the import of energy recourses to a respective measure will contribute to the increasing of security energy of state. Implementing wind energy plant will have as a consequence the reducing waste pollutants (dust, smoke, ect.) which have a difficult impact on fauna and flora, it will favour to create also the new places of job in rural medium. 5. Reducing potential emissions of GHG through the wind energy implementing. In order to implement the frame designed with respect to electric energy production at wind plants, amounting to 370 million kWh/year (by 2010) it will be necessary to build wind plants with a total installed capacity of about 120 MW. It was considered that air-generators with 0,6-2 MW nominal power with the height of the tower of 70-90 m will be used, in order to guarantee, under the location on the territory of the republic (utilization coefficient of installed power ku=0.35) As per computations, done through the general methodology used for such energy objectives, total investment equal about 120-150 million USD are required or specific capital investments equal to 10001250 USD/kWh, including the cost of airgenerators, constructions of civil and electric infrastructures, expenses for

transportations, setting-up, and putting into operation. In calculations were considered as actual term the duration of life the base devices T=20 years. 6. Conclusion Not only the priorities regarding the environment protection but also the advantages in the social sector giving by energy based on renewable energy source opens new perspectives for these modalities of producing energy. Concept of a new energetic system, corresponding to XXI century, can contribute to restore a balance unfortunately, neglect between energy, mans prosperity and environment. The energy shouldnt be treated as a thing which must be consumed indifferent of consequences. The energy must valorise in mans job, but in such ways, which do not interact into the relations between society and environment. Only in this way we will prevent the ecological catastrophes, which can provoke the decadence of civilization, who didnt appreciate the value given by nature. 7. Bibliografy [1] Ambros, T., Sobor, I., Todos, P., .a., (1999), Surse regenerabile de energie, Tehnica-Info, Chiinu. [2] Todos, P., Sobor, I., Ungureanu, D., Chiciuc, A., Pleca, M., , Renewable Energy: Feasibility Study, CartDidact, 2002, Chiinu, 2002. [3] *** Technology Needs and Development Priorities: Report elaborated under the United Nations framework convention on Climate Change., CartDidact, Chisinau, 2002.

8. Acknowledgement The authors are very grateful to the Supreme Council for Science and Technological Development for the kind support of the research activity in this area.