Design guide and cost estimation of micro Hydro-Solar-Wind Hybrid Renewable Energy System for off-grid villages

Abstract

As increasing the effect on the environment from fossil fuel and its developing cost, many researches about power generation using renewable energy proceed as its alternative. By developing the technology of renewable energy, the price of renewable energy power generation system is getting lower. It is viable for developing countries to electrify certain sites where take much cost to connect main grid. To generate electricity efficiently, different power sources are utilized at the same time. In the case of micro power generation system, the cost structure and the ratio of power loss to generation is different from macro system. So the new point of view is needed. In this thesis, design guide and cost estimation of micro hydro-solar-wind hybrid renewable energy system for off-grid village is provided. Sizing solar, wind hydro power generation and battery considering geographical and meteorological condition is applied to implement design guide. These conditions such as degradation of photovoltaic and battery, failure modes were simplified or ignored in existing researches. In the process of sizing each components, battery level includes charge/discharge of past and current states. To calculate this, continuous state of battery level is assumed as discrete system. Sizing power generation and battery of system is derived by using genetic algorithm. The general mathematical models with tuning parameter are used to apply different system generally but consider particular characteristics. To derive design guide and cost estimation, actual micro hybrid renewable power generation system using hydro-solar-wind were installed in two different site of Korea and Nepal and operated. The data, such as Meteorological condition affecting power generation, amount of power generation and consumption were collected. The tuning parameters derived from actual system were used for mathematical model to set the value of mathematical model to amount mount of power generation from actual system. From actual cost from installation and statistics, installation cost function including economic of scale was derived and applied to cost estimation. Considering the characteristics of micro power generation system, failure mode and effect analysis was proceeded from observing actual system. Occurrence of failure modes and related cost and loss were estimated. From derived design guide and cost estimation, installed systems were evaluated and compared with conventional software which is commonly used in designing hybrid power generation system. In conclusion, design guide and cost estimation of off-grid hybrid renewable energy system with solar-wind-hydro is provided considering meteorological and geographical condition. This design guide and cost estimation consider the characteristics of micro system, such as cost, power loss, etc. To derive these characteristics, actual systems in two different site were installed and operated.