Abstract

Low-voltage, low-power subsistence level DC microgrids are becoming very popular in remote regions of many developing regions where the grid is either unavailable or largely intermittent. The primary reasons for high growth in this sector are a) lower upfront costs (as well as the levelized cost of electricity) compared to the utility grid and other alternatives b) higher reliability (where grid may be absent or intermittent) and c) limited power needs of rural occupants. However, optimal planning and sizing of various system components such as solar panels, storage, and distribution conductors are essential for minimizing the system upfront cost to enhance its utilization. In this work, we present a framework for optimal planning and design of these system based on a) region-specific irradiance and temperature, and b) charging and discharging constraints on storage and c) grid price and availability pattern. Results show that for an average 12 hours load shedding in a day, optimal battery size increases up to 30 percent and optimal PV size increases up to 15 percent for continuous grid outage.

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