Economic and technical study of a hybrid system (wind–photovoltaic–diesel) for rural electrification in Algeria

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.10.015

Applied Energy

Volume 86, Issues 7–8, July–August 2009, Pages 1024-1030

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.10.015 Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper deals with design of hybrid energy system consisting of wind and photovoltaic with battery storage. A diesel generator is added to ensure continuous power supply and to take care of intermittent nature of wind and photovoltaic. The paper reports results of the technical–economic optimization study of photovoltaic/wind/diesel hybrid with battery storage in Algeria. The primary objective of this study is to estimate the appropriate dimension of stand-alone hybrid photovoltaic/wind/diesel with battery storage that guarantee the energy autonomy of typical remote consumer with lowest cost of energy. A secondary aim is to study the impact of renewable energy potential quality on the system size. The optimum dimensions of the system are defined for six sites in Algeria. In this context, a complete sizing model is developed in Matlab/Simulink V.6.5, able to predict the optimum system configuration. The simulation results indicate that the hybrid system is the best option for all the sites considered in this study. Thus, it provides higher system performance than photovoltaic or wind alone. It s shown that the principal advantage of photovoltaic/wind/diesel hybrid with battery storage are used all together, the reliability of the system is enhanced. The economic analysis has resulted in the calculation of kWh cost of energy for different types of resources and optimized cost of hybrid energy system. It s revealed too that the energy cost depends largely on the renewable energy potential quality. So, our objective for the optimization parameters is not the production cost but the offered service.

Introduction

It is estimated that two billion people in small villages in developing countries currently lack grid-based electricity service. In many cases, grid extension is impractical because of dispersed populations, rugged terrain, or both. Thus, small off-grid stand-alone renewable energy systems represent an important option for narrowing the electricity gap in rural parts of the developing world, where progress in grid extension remains slower than population growth [1], [2]. Even though these small-scale energy systems generate relatively little power, they can significantly contribute to life quality in remote locations in developing countries [3]. Cavello and Grub stress that 1 kWh of electricity provides ten times more electricity services in India than in Indiana. They further state that two small wind generators, which would supply only two homes with electric heating in the United States, could pump water for 4000 people in Morocco [4].

In remote villages, far from the grids of many countries, electric energy is usually supplied by diesel generators or small hydroelectric plants. In most of these cases, the supply with diesel fuel becomes highly expensive while hybrid diesel/photovoltaic/wind generation becomes competitive with diesel-only generation [5]. Photovoltaic/wind/diesel hybrid systems are more reliable in producing electricity than photovoltaic-only/wind-only systems, and often represent the best solution for electrifying remote areas. The diesel generator reduces the photovoltaic/wind component while the photovoltaic/wind systems decrease the operating time of the generator, reducing the running costs of the diesel generator [6]. The addition of battery storage reduces the number of start/stop cycles of diesel generators, thus considerably minimizing fuel consumption [7] and [8].

The utilisation of small-scale off-grid hybrid generation option is not yet in use in Algeria, whose an important proportion of population is in rural areas that are neither grid-connected nor do they have independent generating plants. The main reason for this is the reliance on interconnected generation systems based on large-scale gas and oil plants. Electrical energy produced by these power stations is supplied to urban and some rural areas mainly through grid extension.

To solve the energy crisis specifically in the southern interconnected grid, electricity supplies could be provided through off-grid renewable energy options that are yet to be considered for parts of Algeria where a reasonable solar and/or wind resource is available. However, some research efforts to encourage the use of renewable energy have been conducted but without institutional support and interest. These include the estimation of the solar and wind energy potential of Algeria [9], [10] and the situation of renewable energy in the country [11].

In this work, a combination of three energy sources (solar, wind and diesel) with a continuous electric power production is proposed. A great deal of research related to performance, optimization, and other related parameters [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22] has been carried out on hybrid energy systems. Borowy and Salameh [12] developed an algorithm to optimize a photovoltaic-array with battery bank for a stand-alone hybrid PV/wind system. The proposed model is based on a long-term hourly solar irradiance and peak load demand data relative to the considered site. The number of the PV modules of the hybrid system is calculated by the use of the same algorithm. So, the direct cost of the PV/wind systems is not considered for optimizing the hybrid energy system. Later on, Borowy and Salameh [13] optimized a similar system taking into account both the costs of the PV modules and battery systems. A graphic construction technique to optimize the size of the PV/wind energy system was established and presented by Markvart [14] in which the monthly average solar and wind energy values are considered. On the other hand, unlike the methods based on hourly, daily, and monthly average energy values, a statistical approach for the PV arrays size and the number of batteries of a stand-alone PV/wind hybrid system was presented by Bagul et al. [15]. They proposed a three-event probabilistic approach to overcome the limitations of the conventional two-event approach in matching the actual distribution of the energy generated by hybrid systems. Recently, Celik [16] has made a techno-economical analysis and optimization of a PV/wind hybrid energy system. A comparative study with a stand-alone solar and wind system for the same conditions of load, insulation and wind velocities has also been conducted. On a fundamentally different basis, Morgan et al. [17] have studied the performance of battery units in an autonomous hybrid energy system at various temperatures by considering the state of voltage (SOV) instead of the state of charge (SOC). Their algorithm enabled the prediction of the hybrid energy system performance at various battery temperatures. Yang et al. [18] have proposed an optimization technique following the loss of power supply probability (LPSP) model for a PV/wind hybrid system taking into account the system reliability. They demonstrated the utility of their model through a case study of a hybrid unit for a telecommunication system. Ashok [19] proposes a model based on different system components of a hybrid energy system and develops a general model to find an optimal combination of energy components for a typical rural community, minimizing the life cycle cost.

Photovoltaic solar and wind energy conversion systems have been widely used for electricity supply in isolated locations far from the distribution network. If such systems are designed properly they can provide a reliable service and operate in an unattended manner for extended periods of time. However, they suffer from the fluctuating characteristics of available solar and wind energy sources, which must be considered at design stage. The degree of desired reliability of a solar and wind process so as to meet a particular load can be fulfilled by a combination of properly sized wind turbine, PV panel, storage unit and auxiliary energy. Because the storage unit and auxiliary energy are needed to provide high reliability and avoid gross over-design of the solar and wind system [20], [21], [22] a system comprised of battery storage and auxiliary energy (diesel generator) components is proposed.

Furthermore, this work includes the complete energy modelling and sizing of the various system’s components. For the purpose of illustration, six various Algerian’s climatic zones are considered and an economical study of the hybrid system was elaborated. This will serve as an additional tool that helps choosing the best system (wind or photovoltaic installation) when the two possibilities are technically possible. The choice is based on the determination of the option which corresponds to the least cost and to the best performances.

Fig. 1 shows the synoptic of the system.

Section snippets

Modelling of the wind system

To evaluate the operating performance of an aero generator at a given site, its energy production is first expressed in terms of wind speed. Among the many mathematical models used in wind power studies, the cumulative statistical distribution of Weibull [23] is the most appropriate for describing wind speed variations. Thus, the average power produced by an aero generator is given by [10] and [23], [24], [25] as: $P = \int_{V_{in}}^{V_{out}} P (ν) f (ν) dv$ where

V_in: wind speed at which electricity production begins

Hybrid system results

Monthly analysis of the measured field data shows that the energy contribution from photovoltaic and wind generators varies greatly from one month to another and from site to site. The obtained results are presented in Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12. In these figures, are presented the monthly mean daily household load, photovoltaic energy produced by n modules and m aerogenerators system. From these results, it will be noted that the household load is completely covered by

Conclusion

This paper presents the results of investigations on the application of hybrid PV/wind/diesel power with battery storage generating systems for use in stand-alone systems in Algeria.

The objective of the present work is to estimate the appropriate dimensions of a stand-alone application of hybrid PV/wind/diesel systems with battery storage that guarantee the energy autonomy of a typical remote consumer, to compare the performance and find the optimal sizing of three system configurations for all

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Economic and technical study of a hybrid system (wind–photovoltaic–diesel) for rural electrification in Algeria

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Modelling of the wind system

Hybrid system results

Conclusion

Renew Energy

Sol Energy

Sol Energy

Renew Energy

Renew Energy

Sol Energy

Energy Convers Manage

Sol Energy

Renew Energy

Renew Energy

Energy Build

Renew Energy

Sol Energy

Appl Energy

Energy

Optimal dispatch strategy in remote hybrid power systems

Sol Energy

The economics of sustainable energy for rural development: a study of renewable energy in China

Energy Policy