Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Green energy based microgrid system is the development of eco-friendly and cost effective system for electrical supply in the area where grid is not feasible. In this paper, the study and modelling of green energy based micro grid for rural area of Tantivela, Gujarat has been done. Methods/Statistical Analysis: In this paper, the analysis has been done on Hybrid Optimisation for Electric Renewables (HOMER) software. Firstly, the geographical data of the area has been collected including the village data and climatic data. By calculating the load demand of the household accordingly the village population and occupation has been estimated. Based on availability of the renewable resources combination of the energy has been modelled. Using the software HOMER software the optimum and cost effective model of standalone micro grid system for rural area. Findings: A standalone type microgrid has been simulated which can handle both AC and DC load. For the Maximum Power Point Tracking system perturb and observe method has been adopted. The standalone system different combination of PV array, charge controller, load controller, inverter, and battery need to be decided based on the load demands and parameters. The biomass, wind and solar are taken to be the main renewable energy resources as for generation. The testing and cost analysis has been done in Hybrid Optimisation for Electric Renewable (HOMER) to find optimum combination of energy which will be cost effective, eco-friendly and have viable architecture. After selecting the resources and decide the equipment’s the final simulation is done. In HOMER we analysed cost summary including total net production cost, operational cost and levelized cost and decide on best possible architecture of PV array, biomass, wind, converter, inverter and rectifier. Applications/Improvements: By simulating green energy microgrid it makes an optimum use of resources that are locally abundant resources with economic viable, affordable and sustainable. It could be improved by proper transmission network and improve surge power capacity to enhance cost- effectiveness.
Keywords: Energy, Green Power, Modelling, Micro Grid, Rural Area