Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background/Aim: This research aims to design and compare four Hybrid Microgrid Systems involving different backup techniques for a remote village in Sindh, Pakistan and finds the most optimal hybrid system based on Net Present Cost (NPC) and Cost of Electricity (COE). Methods/Statistical analysis:In order to make a suitable hybrid system, firstly, a proper literature review was done to get the information about the recent work done on this system after that four hybrid systems were designed with two common primary sources: Solar and Wind and different backup sources including Batteries, Fuel Cell, Diesel Generator and Gird. HOMER performed optimization on all four hybrid system cases based on NPC and COE to find the most optimal hybrid system for each case. Findings: The comparison of all four optimal hybrid cases shows that Solar/Wind/Grid Hybrid Microgrid System is the most optimal system for that location with NPC PKR 21M and COE PKR 12.84. The payback period of this system is 3 years. This research is based on real-time data and involves the comparison of four different hybrid systems to find an optimal hybrid system. Novelty/Applications: The world is greatly moving towards renewables keeping in view their enormous benefits and the current global warming issue. Pakistan is one of those countries who are blessed with an abundant renewable resource, which if utilized properly then it can fulfil the whole country’s energy demand, and this will also reduce the use of fossil fuels in the energy sector of the country.

Keywords: Microgrid; hybrid renewable sources; optimazation; net preent cost (NPC); cost of electricity (COE); renewable fraction (RF)