Wind-solar hybrid electrical power production to support national grid: Case study - Jordan

Abstract

The paper presents the next generation of power energy systems using solar- and wind-energy systems for the country of Jordan. Presently with the oil prices are on the rise, the cost of electrical power production is very high. The opportunity of a large wind and solar hybrid power production is being explored. Sights are chosen to produce electricity using the wind in the Mountains in Northern Jordan and the sun in the Eastern Desert. It is found that the cost of windmill farm to produce 100 – 150 MW is US$290 million while solar power station to produce 100 MW costs US$560 million. The electrical power costs US$0.02/kWh for the wind power and US$0.077 for the solar power. The feasibility for using wind and solar energies is now when the price oil reaches US$ 100.00 per barrel. The paper also discusses different power electronics circuits and control methods to link the renewable energy to the national grid. This paper also looks at some of the modern power electronics converters and electrical generators which have improved significantly solar and wind energy technologies.