Optimal Sizing and Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System for an Off-Grid Power System in Northern Canada

Abstract

Sole dependence on diesel energy has imposed a wide array of problems upon the operation of off-grid power systems in Northern Canada. Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) have been vehemently emerging as a feasible alternative to the existing diesel-based generation facilities. To maximize the intended benefits, proper component selection, optimum sizing of the grid configuration and performance evaluation in the economic, environmental and reliability paradigms become decisive steps in their designing process. This paper presents a HOMER software-based gird optimization study to optimally retrofit a remote off-grid power system in Northern Canada. Topologies like Battery-Diesel, PV-Diesel and PV-Diesel-Battery were assessed under different scenarios to find the optimum retrofit for a primarily diesel-based generation facility. Results reveal the competence of PV-Diesel-Battery topology at high renewable penetration levels in achieving the envisioned benefits. Around a renewable penetration level of 21%, fuel savings up to 22% is achievable along with 0–0.5% reductions in Levelized cost of electricity compared to the existing diesel-based power system. While diversifying the energy mix, the PV-Diesel-Battery topology considerably curbs the environmental degradation caused by the diesel-only operation and ensures the reliability, availability and security of the power supply.