Grid Integration of Solar and Solar/Wind Hybrid Mini-Grid Projects: A Case of Solar/Wind Hybrid Mini-Grid Project Implemented by AEPC

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
Khem Raj Bhandari ◽  
Narayan Prasad Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Grid Integration ◽  
Grid Systems ◽  
Grid Line ◽  
Grid Connection ◽  
Utility Grid ◽  
Near Future

Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) has been scaling up renewable energy technologies through Mini-grid power supply in Nepal’s off-grid areas in order to fulfill community electricity demands for both households and electricity-based enterprises. It is likely that, in some of the off-grid renewable energy (RE) mini-grid service areas, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) grid line might reach in near future. The objective of this study is to highlight success stories of solar and solar/wind mini-grids implemented by AEPC and for their longer-term sustainable operation grid integration policy of isolated mini-grid systems will require. Till the date AEPC has successfully electrified more than 20 rural communities through solar and solar/wind hybrid mini-grid systems. Some of these isolated mini-grid projects will seek grid interconnections in near future due to NEA distribution system expansion trend. When the isolated mini-grids will be connected to the national grid power network in future, the mini-grid can feed surplus electricity to the local utility grid line and will receive deficit electricity from the local utility grid system to serve the consumers connected to the local grid network. The methodology applied to this study is assessment of existing solar and solar/wind mini-grid projects, technological intervention required for grid integration, reviewing grid-connection policy of distributed renewable generations in the country and recommendation of relevant policy option for grid connection of rural mini-grids. Grid integration of isolated solar and solar/wind mini-grids will have positive impacts to the sustainability of the present isolated mini-grids, will help in retaining existing mini-grids end users, energy produced by mini-grid systems will be optimally utilized, the existing mini-grid power will contribute to stabilize weak national grid electrical parameters. The outcome of the study will recommend need of policy options as well as technological interventions in order to do grid integration of solar and solar/wind hybrid mini-grid systems in Nepal.

Analysing integration issues of the microgrid system with utility grid network

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-127
Author(s):  
Mulualem Tesfaye ◽  
Baseem Khan ◽  
Om Prakash Mahela ◽  
Hassan Haes Alhelou ◽  
Neeraj Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Reactive Power ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Control Mode ◽  
Voltage Source ◽  
Modulation Scheme ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Utility Grid

Abstract Generation of renewable energy sources and their interfacing to the main system has turn out to be most fascinating challenge. Renewable energy generation requires stable and reliable incorporation of energy to the low or medium voltage networks. This paper presents the microgrid modeling as an alternative and feasible power supply for Institute of Technology, Hawassa University, Ethiopia. This microgrid consists of a 60 kW photo voltaic (PV) and a 20 kW wind turbine (WT) system; that is linked to the electrical distribution system of the campus by a 3-phase pulse width modulation scheme based voltage source inverters (VSI) and supplying power to the university buildings. The main challenge in this work is related to the interconnection of microgrid with utility grid, using 3-phase VSI controller. The PV and WT of the microgrid are controlled in active and reactive power (PQ) control mode during grid connected operation and in voltage/frequency (V/F) control mode, when the microgrid is switched to the stand-alone operation. To demonstrate the feasibility of proposed microgrid model, MATLAB/Simulink software has been employed. The performance of fully functioning microgrid is analyzed and simulated for a number of operating conditions. Simulation results supported the usefulness of developed microgrid in both mode of operation.

scholarly journals A Review of Energy Storage Technologies’ Application Potentials in Renewable Energy Sources Grid Integration

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10511
Author(s):  
Henok Ayele Behabtu ◽  
Maarten Messagie ◽  
Thierry Coosemans ◽  
Maitane Berecibar ◽  
Kinde Anlay Fante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Grid Integration ◽  
Li Ion Batteries ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Li Ion ◽  
Utility Grid ◽  
Storage Technologies

Renewable energy sources (RESs) such as wind and solar are frequently hit by fluctuations due to, for example, insufficient wind or sunshine. Energy storage technologies (ESTs) mitigate the problem by storing excess energy generated and then making it accessible on demand. While there are various EST studies, the literature remains isolated and dated. The comparison of the characteristics of ESTs and their potential applications is also short. This paper fills this gap. Using selected criteria, it identifies key ESTs and provides an updated review of the literature on ESTs and their application potential to the renewable energy sector. The critical review shows a high potential application for Li-ion batteries and most fit to mitigate the fluctuation of RESs in utility grid integration sector. However, for Li-ion batteries to be fully adopted in the RESs utility grid integration, their cost needs to be reduced.

scholarly journals Economic and Environmental Assessment of Smart Distributed Power Systems in India for Emission Reductions

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2009-2018
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Distributed Generation ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Energy Sources

As the global warming is increasing day by day, distributed generation based on renewable energy will play a major role in the production of electricity. Renewable energy sources are considered as the most viable alternative energy sources to be used in the place of conventional fossil fuels. Microgrids are the fundamental elements in future smart grid distributed generation systems. This paper illustrates various options for supply of electric power from renewable sources along with storage units and main grid to different types of loads. The sizing of the distribution system and the economic analysis were performed using Homer, computer software designed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at Colorado, United States in 1993. This paper will analyze the Cost of Energy (COE) and Net Present Cost (NPC) for various loads and the system configuration with minimal COE and NPC is considered as the optimal solution for each type of load while reducing the emissions.

Renewable Energy on Tribal Lands: A Feasibility Study for a Biomass-to-Energy Plant on the Cocopah Reservation in Arizona

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lauren K. D’Souza ◽  
William L. Ascher ◽  
Tanja Srebotnjak
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
The United States ◽  
Biomass Energy ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Energy Plant ◽  
Energy Projects ◽  
Alternative Investment

Native American reservations are among the most economically disadvantaged regions in the United States; lacking access to economic and educational opportunities that are exacerbated by “energy insecurity” due to insufficient connectivity to the electric grid and power outages. Local renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass offer energy alternatives but their implementation encounters barriers such as lack of financing, infrastructure, and expertise, as well as divergent attitudes among tribal leaders. Biomass, in particular, could be a source of stable base-load power that is abundant and scalable in many rural communities. This case study examines the feasibility of a biomass energy plant on the Cocopah reservation in southwestern Arizona. It considers feedstock availability, cost and energy content, technology options, nameplate capacity, discount and interest rates, construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, and alternative investment options. This study finds that at current electricity prices and based on typical costs for fuel, O&M over 30 years, none of the tested scenarios is presently cost-effective on a net present value (NPV) basis when compared with an alternative investment yielding annual returns of 3% or higher. The technology most likely to be economically viable and suitable for remote, rural contexts—a combustion stoker—resulted in a levelized costs of energy (LCOE) ranging from US$0.056 to 0.147/kWh. The most favorable scenario is a combustion stoker with an estimated NPV of US$4,791,243. The NPV of the corresponding alternative investment is US$7,123,380. However, if the tribes were able to secure a zero-interest loan to finance the plant’s installation cost, the project would be on par with the alternative investment. Even if this were the case, the scenario still relies on some of the most optimistic assumptions for the biomass-to-power plant and excludes abatement costs for air emissions. The study thus concludes that at present small-scale, biomass-to-energy projects require a mix of favorable market and local conditions as well as appropriate policy support to make biomass energy projects a cost-competitive source of stable, alternative energy for remote rural tribal communities that can provide greater tribal sovereignty and economic opportunities.

European Energy Security

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Almas Heshmati ◽  
Shahrouz Abolhosseini
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
The European Union

This chapter reviews relevant literature on the current state and effectiveness of developing renewable energy on energy security in general, and on energy security in the European Union (EU) in particular. The chapter elaborates on primary energy import sources, possible alternatives, and how energy security is affected by the sources of supply. It also gives an analysis of the effects of the Ukrainian crisis, the isolation of Iran on diversification sources, and on European energy security. It examines EU’s energy policy, analyses the best motivation for a new energy policy direction within Europe, and suggests alternative solutions for enhanced energy supply security. The aim is to suggest suitable solutions for energy security in Europe through energy supply diversification. Supply diversification includes alternative energy corridors for reducing dependency on Russia as a supplier and enhancing the power generated by renewable energy sources under the European Union 2020 strategy.

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