Abstract
Microgrids (MGs) are playing an important role in the maximum utilization of distributed energy resources. The optimal economic operation and low-carbon electricity generation can enhance MGs effectiveness. This paper presents the results of a solar-photovoltaic (PV)-driven islanded MG’s techno-economic optimization analysis and environmental life-cycle assessment (LCA) to achieve economical and environmentally superior performance. A net present cost (NPC)-based simulation for optimal sizing of the MG is proposed. A novel life-cycle inventory (LCI) is developed to evaluate the impacts of the MG under 21 midpoint indicators and three endpoint indicators by the ReCiPe 2016 method, metal particle releases by the Ecopoints approach, and the greenhouse-gas emissions by the IPCC method. The sensitivity analysis is carried out to verify the effects for three different batteries and five different PV modules for all of the considered impact indicators. The results reveal that the proposed MG offers a revenue of 29,520 US$/yr by routing excess energy to neighbors after fulfilling the prosumers’ demand at an optimal net present cost of 364,906 US$. Furthermore, the outcomes obtained from the LCA analysis show that, among the MG components, batteries have the highest impact on human health (74%) and the ecosystem (78%) due to greater greenhouse-gas emissions (CO2-48%, CH4-37%, and N20-48%).
Highlights
In recent years, microgrids (MGs), have been getting considerable attention worldwide for maximum utilization of distributed energy resources (DERs) [1]
The optimal net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (COE) rates are 364,906 US$ and 0.139 US$, whereas, the MG system with four PV panels is the worst case with an NPC of 442,574 US$ and a COE of 0.169 US$
The well-known HOMER Pro and SimaPro softwares, and the renowned Ecoinvent global database are used for the cost optimization and impact assessment
Summary
Microgrids (MGs), have been getting considerable attention worldwide for maximum utilization of distributed energy resources (DERs) [1]. An assembly of local energy sources, storages, and loads builds a typical MG system [2]. These MGs play a pivotal role in fulfilling the local load demands of islands and rural villages by power sharing through economic operation [3]. Using these MGs the excess energy of the prosumers (with PV facility) can be shifted to the nearby consumers (without PV facility). MGs are becoming popular from both an economical and a necessity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
