Optimizing simulated model of HRES by HOMER software for MIRKAL M

Electrical Engineering

Energy security and sustainable development are prime issues these days in developing countries like India. Off grid hybrid renewable energy-based power systems for rural electrification have become an attractive solution for areas where grid electricity is not feasible. Hybrid energy system uses several energy technologies, and the selection of proper technologies with optimal sizing of the selected components has become very important. The objective is to investigate the optimum configuration of a hybrid system that can supply electricity to a rural community in India. A rural village Mirkal M in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India comprising approximately 41 households with resultant average daily electricity demand of 123.38 KWh/d and peak of 16.28 KW has been studied. This region receives abundant solar radiation with an average of 5.58KWh/m2 /day. In addition annual average wind speed of this region is 4.20m/s, at above the ground. The total net present cost of configuration has been calculated for a year in HOMER software of the system lifetime to examine the lowest cost option. The combination of solar PV system, diesel generator, converter and a battery bank has been found to be the optimal hybrid system. This system can supply electricity at an approximate levelized cost of 0.4104$/KWh.

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