Wind power potential for irrigation of rice and maize using geoprocessing in the Baixo Jaguaribe river basin, Ceará State - Brazil

Abstract

Realizing that there is currently a larger search for renewable energy sources and that the coastal region of Ceará has a strong wind potential, this work proposes to demonstrate, through geoprocessing techniques, the feasibility of using wind energy systems in the irrigation of corn and rice crops in the Baixo Jaguaribe sub-basin. The production map of these crops and the Atlas of Wind Potential in Ceará State were overlaid with the help of ArcGIS software. After the processing, it was verified that only 4.15% of the territory of the basin studied has winds capable to install wind energy systems, with predominance of winds between 6.0 and 7.0 m.s-1. The use of other sources of renewable energy for irrigation purposes is suggested for this region.