Abstract
In developing countries, electrification in remote areas, where access to energy is limited or null, has been one of the biggest challenges in recent years. Isolated microgrids with renewable generation are an efficient alternative for the energy supply in these areas. The objective of this work was to analyse the techno-economic viability of 6 isolated microgrids in different locations in the non-interconnected zone of Colombia, considering different climatic conditions, the availability of renewable resources, the current consumption profile, and a modified profile applying demand-side management. Modelling and simulation were performed considering storage systems based on lithium and lead-acid batteries. The resulting simulations provide the optimal system cost, emissions levels, electricity cost and battery lifetime. This study demonstrates that isolated hybrid microgrids with renewable energy are a feasible alternative to solve access to energy problems, reducing the need for diesel generators and optimizing the use of renewable energies and battery-based storage systems.
Highlights
A modern and reliable electricity supply is crucial for human well-being and for the economic development of a country
In the so-called non-interconnected zone (NIZ), which corresponds to 52% of the territory of Colombia, approximately 92% of the electrical energy is generated by thermal plants with diesel generators, and the rest is generated by small hydroelectric plants
The population lives in places with difficult access, which increases the price of fuel in thermal plants, which emit polluting gases and generate noise pollution [4], so this generation system is not the most recommended [5]
Summary
A modern and reliable electricity supply is crucial for human well-being and for the economic development of a country. In the so-called non-interconnected zone (NIZ), which corresponds to 52% of the territory of Colombia, approximately 92% of the electrical energy is generated by thermal plants with diesel generators, and the rest is generated by small hydroelectric plants In these areas, the population lives in places with difficult access, which increases the price of fuel (diesel) in thermal plants, which emit polluting gases and generate noise pollution [4], so this generation system is not the most recommended [5]. The population lives in places with difficult access, which increases the price of fuel (diesel) in thermal plants, which emit polluting gases and generate noise pollution [4], so this generation system is not the most recommended [5] In addition to this insufficient and limited electricity supply, autonomous energy resources have not been improved or used [6], which has led to poor social and economic development of the population of these areas
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