Modelling and Simulation of Microgrid Energy Systems in Edo State: Unveiling Opportunities and Addressing Challenges

Abstract

This paper presents the design and simulation of a microgrid energy system tailored for a Polytechnic community in Edo State, Nigeria. The system was initially sized and designed using Homer Pro software, resulting in a configuration that includes the grid system, 3,726 solar panels each rated at 0.5 kW, a 1.5 MVA diesel generator, and a 500 kW inverter, covering an area of 17,696 m² with a total cost of ₦295. The design achieves a simple payback period of 3 years and 5 months, reducing electricity bills by 88% and lowering CO₂ emissions. Given the high PV capacity of 1,863 kW required, additional software tools such as OpenSolar, PVWatt, and REopt were utilized to optimize the PV size. The optimized design features a PV capacity of 675.2 kW, comprising 96-cell modules each rated at 500 W, with 25 modules connected in series and 54 in parallel. The system also includes a utility grid connection and a diesel generator for emergencies. The microgrid was then simulated in a MATLAB/Simulink environment to analyze its dynamic performance. The initial simulation showed acceptable dynamics with load variations but was slow. To address this, a reduced order model was developed in MATLAB/Simulink, enhancing simulation speed by over four times compared to the original model. Additionally, a monitoring system for the microgrid was designed, requiring 54 DC current sensors, one DC voltage sensor, nine AC current sensors, and six AC voltage sensors, all connected to a data logger interfaced with a computer system for remote monitoring and control. This paper provides comprehensive details on system design, sizing, dynamic simulation, reduced order modeling, and monitoring.