Abstract
A single energy-based technology has been the traditional approach to supplying basic energy needs, but its limitations give rise to other viable options. Renewable off-grid electricity supply is one alternative that has gained attention, especially with areas lacking a grid system. The aim of this paper is to present an optimal hybrid energy system to meet the electrical demand in a reliable and sustainable manner for an off-grid remote village, Gwakwani, in South Africa. Three off-grid systems have been proposed: (i) Photovoltaic (PV) systems with a diesel generator; (ii) Photovoltaic systems and battery storage; and (iii) Photovoltaic systems with diesel generator and battery storage. For this analysis, different size of photovoltaic panels were tested and the optimal size in each scenario was chosen. These PV sizes were 1, 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 kW. The optimization between these sizes was built based on three main objectives. These objectives are: (i) energy demand satisfaction; (ii) system cost; and (iii) pollution. For the first and second system scenarios, the optimal size was the 1 kW with battery and 1 kW with diesel generator; the third scenario results did not sufficiently match the three objectives. A general comparison has been carried out between the two optimal systems when the diesel generator is used and when the battery is applied. Both scenarios can sufficiently meet the demand without any considerable interruption, but disparities exist between them in relation to cost and technical optimization. There is a huge difference in the cost between these scenarios. The total cost in PV-Battery system (Scenario 1) represents only 26% of the entire PV system. Also, the PV and Battery system does not release any harmful emissions compared with nearly 6 tCO2/year in the PV with Diesel system (Scenario 2). Also, Scenario (3) is a viable option in terms of energy production but costs more and is proposed to be more beneficial using an economies-of-scale analysis.
Highlights
IntroductionHybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) have gained reputable popularity, and garnered momentum among research studies for modelling, simulation, and optimization.This is a system which combines two or more renewable and/or non-renewable energy sources.The main drivers of a HRES are costs associated with conventional/traditional energy systems, reduction of emissions, negative impact on health and environment and optimization of systems [1,2].The current global deviation from fossilized remains of dead plants and animals (which are consideredEnvironments 2018, 5, 57; doi:10.3390/environments5050057 www.mdpi.com/journal/environmentsEnvironments 2018, 5, 57 non-renewable resources) formed over extensive heat and pressure formation on the earth over millions of years [3] to renewable resources has further enhanced research in this area
Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) have gained reputable popularity, and garnered momentum among research studies for modelling, simulation, and optimization.This is a system which combines two or more renewable and/or non-renewable energy sources.The main drivers of a HRES are costs associated with conventional/traditional energy systems, reduction of emissions, negative impact on health and environment and optimization of systems [1,2].The current global deviation from fossilized remains of dead plants and animals formed over extensive heat and pressure formation on the earth over millions of years [3] to renewable resources has further enhanced research in this area
Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO, USA, this study examined the economic impact of a decentralized renewable energy base system with no grid extension for Jhawani village, Tezpur area, India
Summary
Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) have gained reputable popularity, and garnered momentum among research studies for modelling, simulation, and optimization.This is a system which combines two or more renewable and/or non-renewable energy sources.The main drivers of a HRES are costs associated with conventional/traditional energy systems, reduction of emissions, negative impact on health and environment and optimization of systems [1,2].The current global deviation from fossilized remains of dead plants and animals (which are consideredEnvironments 2018, 5, 57; doi:10.3390/environments5050057 www.mdpi.com/journal/environmentsEnvironments 2018, 5, 57 non-renewable resources) formed over extensive heat and pressure formation on the earth over millions of years [3] to renewable resources has further enhanced research in this area. Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) have gained reputable popularity, and garnered momentum among research studies for modelling, simulation, and optimization. This is a system which combines two or more renewable and/or non-renewable energy sources. The main drivers of a HRES are costs associated with conventional/traditional energy systems, reduction of emissions, negative impact on health and environment and optimization of systems [1,2]. The key contributing factor of the HRES is deviation from overexertion of fossil fuel sources and its negative impact to the environment, in relation to the financial costs, commitments and access associated with it. The overall system reliability and performance levels is higher for areas with an abundance of solar irradiation, HRES and resources [5]
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