A case study of wind-diesel hybrid configuration with battery as a storage device for a typical village in a Pacific island country

Abstract

In most of the villages in interior of Fiji and also in the remote islands of Fiji, electrical energy is provided through the diesel generator (DG) set. Since the cost of diesel price is increasing, renewable energy sources for electricity generation are becoming an attractive option. Of the many renewable energy sources there are many places in Fiji where there is good wind resource. However, due to the intermittent nature of wind, to have a reliable source of electricity for an isolated/remote site, battery storage as well as hybrid system should be considered. This paper presents the optimum configuration of wind-diesel hybrid with battery storage for Vadravadra Village in Gau Island in Fiji for different loads. The optimum configuration is worked out using HOMER software in terms of the levelised cost of energy (LCOE). The paper also presents how to have a successful hybrid system in remote villages.