Development of a Hybrid Simulation and Optimization Model for Rural Electrification

Abstract

Optimal sizing of hybrid renewable energy system is very important in determining the overall performance of hybrid system in terms of cost, reliability and system integrity. However, most of the existing Hybrid Power System (HPS) models are very expensive and not suitable for rural electrification because of their inflexibility and lack of adaptability to suit local conditions. This is due to the unsuitable combination of renewable energy mix and sub-optimal sizing of the system components. A small hydro power plant-based hybrid model for feasibility assessment and optimal sizing of hybrid renewable energy system for rural areas is developed in this work. The HPS model consists of Small Hydro Power (SHP) generator, Photovoltaic (PV) system, Battery (BATT) bank and Diesel Generator (DG). MATLAB/Simulink simulation models were developed from the mathematical models for each of the HPS components. The developed models were integrated together and simulated to observe its ability to produce AC output voltage in meeting load demand. Genetic Algorithm was used for the optimal sizing of the system’s components for optimum configuration. The validity of the hybrid model was verified by comparing its results with Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) as a benchmark. The modeling of the component generators in Simulink was comparable to those obtained using HOMER. Both soft wares yielded very close results. The developed model when compared with some previous models has the added advantage of a wider space of parameters and better reliability. It is simple and can be modified according to the need of any particular project of choice. The model is useful in component sizing analysis before they are actually installed.