Design of a Photovoltaic-Wind Hybrid Power Generation System for Ethiopian Remote Area

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a hybrid electric power generation system utilizing both wind and solar energy for supplying model community living in Ethiopian remote area. The work was begun by investigating wind and solar energy potentials of the desired site, compiling data from different sources and analyzing it using a software tool. The data regarding wind speed and solar irradiation for the site understudy are collected from the National Metrological Agency (NMA) and analyzed using the software tool HOMER. According to the results obtained through the analysis, the site has abundant solar energy potential and the wind energy potential is unquestionably high enough to be exploited for generating electric energy using wind turbines with low cut-in wind speed. The design of a standalone PV-wind hybrid power generating system has proceeded based on the promising findings of these two renewable energy resource potentials, wind and solar. Electric load for the basic needs of the community such lighting, water pumping, a radio receiver, flour mill and medical equipment for a health clinic has been suggested. The simulations and design has been carried out using the HOMER software. By running the software the simulation results which are lists of power supply systems have been generated and arranged in ascending order according to their net present cost. Sensitivity variables, such as range of wind speed, solar radiation, PV panel price and diesel price have been defined as inputs into the software and the optimization process has been carried out repeatedly for the sensitivity variables and the results have been refined accordingly.