Performance investigation of a hybrid PV-diesel power system for remote areas

Abstract

Algeria is in a region with an enormous potential of solar energy for power generation. However, photovoltaic (PV) power plants have not yet been developed sufficiently in the country, and its applications such as PV pumping, solar distillation, and solar heating. The main problem is the high maintenance, operating costs, fossil-fuel transportation, and CO2 emission of Bordj Badji Mokhtar's (BBM's) diesel power plant that exhibits a noteworthy issue in south Algeria. This paper presents the results of a theoretical and experimental study for PV/diesel hybrid energy system (HES) considering the load demand profile and the solar radiation in isolated area of south Algeria. Suggested hybridization based on a renewable energy with a view to an improved environment is promising. Study results show the performance of PV/diesel system based on solar radiation. The experiment load curve in this typical area may conduct the diesel generator to operate at 60% to 70% of its nominal power with less fuel consumption, and it has been verified during this study that the implementation of a PV/diesel hybrid system is efficient for higher load and higher solar radiation. Results and discussions are encouraging considering less emission of greenhouse gases and less storage of fuel, which drives the government to draw a political arrangement for the improvement of cleaner forms of electricity generation.