Photovoltaic Diesel Hybrid System Research Articles

Techno-economic analysis of off-grid PV-Diesel power generation system for rural electrification: A case study of Chilubi district in Zambia

The study explores the techno-economic feasibility and viability of a Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid system for rural electrification in sub-Sahara Africa with a case study of Chilubi island, a remote district without access to electricity in the Northern Province of Zambia. Using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables) Pro software, the best and most feasible technical solutions through different hybrid system configurations, combinations and the district's rate of access to electricity were considered based on the least Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) and life cycle costs of the project. The results show that operating diesel generators as stand-alone is not economically sustainable and has a high LCoE. Influencing factors include variability in diesel pump prices, high fuel transportation costs, high cost of operation and maintenance, among other factors of concern. 100% photovoltaic (PV) with a battery system gave the lowest LCoE. However, the initial capital cost of solar energy projects in Zambia is relatively high compared to the equivalent diesel-based plants, as shown herein. It explains why diesel power plants are favoured for off-grid settlements. On the hand, the low operational cost and LCoE of PV power plants favour rural districts as they offset the high initial capital costs. Additionally, the continued downward trend in the cost of PV installations per kWp has opened discussions among policymakers and energy planners in Zambia to favour rural electrification with renewable energy-based power generation. This study contributes to this discussion.

Comparative study of off-grid and grid-connected hybrid power system: issues, future prospects and policy framework

A sustainable energy system is of utmost importance for any significant development in any nation.This work identified some obstacles inhibiting rapid renewable energy growth in Nigeria and recommended some policy measures in overcoming them. Moreover, a comparative study of off-grid (OG) and grid-connected (GC) small hydro-solar photovoltaic-diesel hybrid system was carried out using Oyan river, Abeokuta, Nigeria as a case study. The hybrid components were modeled with and without the grid. The hydro solar resources data of the area were collected and analyzed using hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software. The simulation results proved that the GC hybrid power system is better than the OG hybrid power system in technical and economic terms depending on the location. This paper, therefore, proposed the use of OG hybrid power system for electrification of distant villages especially where extending the grid seems infeasible and the use of GC hybrid power system in the urban areas. The work will assist power sector stakeholders in making informed decisions towards the growth of hybrid power system technology in Nigeria.

Performance optimization of a photovoltaic-diesel hybrid power system for Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

<abstract> <p>In the rural areas of Saudi Arabia, which are not connected to the national grid, electricity is supplied mainly from diesel generators. This is not just a non-renewable energy source, but it has also resulted in environmental damage and may be hazardous to human health. In order to mitigate the problem, integration with a solar photovoltaic system is proposed. A Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid System (PvDHS) was designed, analyzed, and optimized based on the climate data of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Measured local solar insolation and climate data were used in the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) software with different system components and configurations in order to optimize the design that yields the best energy cost. A system consisting of a 3 kW photovoltaic system, a 2 kW diesel engine, a 1 kW converter, and 14 kWh batteries were identified to be the most cost-effective for the average daily electricity demand of 10.5 kWh. The total Net Present Cost (NPC) of this system is ＄17, 800, a reduction of 50% over the ＄35, 770 cost of the diesel-only system. The PvDHS useful electrical energy is found to be ＄0.36/kWh, while the Cost of Energy (COE) of the diesel-only system is ＄0.72/kWh. The system is expected to pay for itself in 2.8 years and reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 8110 kg per year.</p> </abstract>

Techno-economic Analysis of a Stand-alone Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid System for Rural Area in Sarawak

Photovoltaic hybrid power generation is an alternative solution for supplying electricity to rural areas, especially in Sarawak, Malaysia, where grid connection is almost impossible due to the cost and geographic location. Diesel generator systems are still used by local communities in these remote areas, and the implementation of photovoltaic diesel hybrid systems can reduce dependency on diesel generator units. The work presented in this paper explores the possibility of integrating solar energy resource with diesel generator to meet the load demand of rural communities in Sarawak. In further detail, the configuration and size of the PV-diesel system are analyzed in based on the lowest net present cost (NPC) and the cost of electricity (COE). The analysis is based on mathematical modeling and simulation using Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) software. Eight different configurations of two energy resources-photovoltaic panels and diesel generators-are studied and compared. The option with the highest optimization values is considered to be the most feasible electrification solution for the particular rural area. The outcomes of the analysis show that the PV-diesel hybrid configuration proves to be more cost-effective compared to an existing generator-based system in that it reduces fuel dependency and has the lowest NPC and COE among all configurations studied.

Design and simulation of grid-connected photovoltaic-diesel hybrid system

The availability of reliable electrical energy is essential in developing countries for functioning in modern economies such as in residential, industrial and commercial developments. The sources to produce electricity can be divided into two categories: renewable sources and non-renewable sources. Renewable energies are sources of clean and inexhaustible energies which can be produced from natural resources and they produce neither greenhouse gases nor polluting emissions. There are variety of renewable energy such as wind energy, solar energy, hydro energy, biomass and biofuel energy and etc. The photovoltaic-diesel hybrid systems are systems that combine photovoltaic system and diesel generators to generate electricity. There are many types of photovoltaic-hybrid system. They are series hybrid, switch hybrid and parallel hybrid. In the series photovoltaic-hybrid system, Photovoltaic generator or diesel generator is used along with battery bank to charge. In this paper, the sizing of photovoltaic-diesel hybrid system with grid connection is calculated for the electricity consumption of an industry. The study area of this paper is located in North Okkalapa township, Yangon division, Myanmar and at latitude 16°53’06.9“N and longitude 96°09’17.8”E. The load consumption of this garment factory is firstly collected. In this paper, a photovoltaic system was designed. The number of modules, the number of inverters, and the efficient techniques of connecting them together was stated. Also the area of the designed photovoltaic system was calculated, and a suitable location for the system was chosen. The sizing calculation of the system is designed by using HELIOSCOPE software and HOMER software.

Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid System How to Adapt to Real Site Conditions?

<p>Integrating the diesel generator with photovoltaic arrays, so called PV-Diesel Hybrid System, have several advantages such as reducing daily operation hour of diesel generator while servicing to the clients increase and the diesel engine is always running on its best efficiencies. However it is required the best system design that complies with the real site conditions which is very different from site to site. The differences are not only the incoming solar radiation but also, the availability of open land for locating the arrays, the conditions of existing diesel engine, and load profile. <br />The goal of the PV-diesel hybrid system is reducing the diesel operation hours but delivering the electricity for 24 hours to the customers. Enough information of site conditions will guide to proper design of PV-diesel hybrid system. The paper will elaborate the design of PV-diesel hybrid system and how to apply for certain site condition with the existing diesel generator.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong>: Photovoltaic, Diesel, Hybrid System </p>

Photovoltaic Output Power Fluctuations Smoothing by Selecting Optimal Capacity of Battery for a Photovoltaic-Diesel Hybrid System

This article explains a battery-based control method to reduce the photovoltaic output power fluctuations, which, in turn, will reduce the frequency deviations of the power system. The battery control method introduced here will maintain the state of charge near 50%. Therefore, it will increase the lifetime of the battery, as well as decreasing the maintenance cost. A local search algorithm is provided with this battery control method to search the optimal capacity of the battery required for smoothing the photovoltaic output power fluctuations. Then, a cost comparison is provided to realize the performance of the search algorithm. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, simulation results are presented using the actual insolation and load data.

A frequency control method for isolated photovoltaic-diesel hybrid power system without smoothing renewable power variations

In this paper, a frequency control method is introduced for photovoltaic-diesel hybrid system by using a load estimator and an energy storage system. The proposed method is compared with an energy storage based conventional control method and with a fuzzy based frequency control method. Simulation results show that the proposed method is feasible to reduce the frequency deviations of the isolated power utility and delivers maximum power compared to both of the methods.

On the policy of photovoltaic and diesel generation mix for an off-grid site: East Malaysian perspectives

The recent policy of the Malaysian government to promote use of renewable, especially photovoltaic, energy has warranted a feasibility study on supplementing diesel generation in off-grid sites by solar (photovoltaic) electricity to be done in the Malaysian context. This paper addresses the technical viability and economy of using a photovoltaic (PV) system to supplement an existing diesel generator-based supply in a typical secondary school located at an interior, off-grid and rural site of Sarawak state in East Malaysia. The findings of the present study, would therefore, help the Government with a realistic picture of the techno-economic aspects in implementing its vision regarding renewable energy. Presently, a 150 kW diesel generator supplies electricity to the considered school. The study required simulation of the load sharing pattern of the PV–diesel hybrid system taking into account varied weather and insolation conditions of the chosen site. Also, the purchase price as well as the size of the supplementing PV system that would give the lowest life cycle cost have been determined. The PV system was considered in both forms, i.e. with and without battery back-up. It has been found that if the market price for purchasing a PV system would drop to RM 11.02/W P (Ringgit Malaysia; US$1.00=RM 3.80) i.e. US$2.90/W P, a 35 kW P PV system without battery back-up in conjunction with the diesel generator would be able to supply the selected school’s demand at a marginally lower energy cost than the existing diesel-only system. With continuous research and developments, PV price would keep falling in the near future so that a PV–diesel hybrid system with a higher sized PV is expected to be economically more viable. The reported feasibility study can serve as a guideline for making similar studies in the context of another off-grid site.