An optimum design of standalone hybrid off grid system with efficient PV model

Across the globe, governments are striving to mitigate global warming and GHG (greenhouse gas) resulting from fossil fuel-based power plants and consequently clean and renewable energy sources are becoming an adequate alternative for this concern. Pakistan, despite having the ample potential of rene

Project Title

An optimum design of standalone hybrid off grid system with efficient PV model

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

Across the globe, governments are striving to mitigate global warming and GHG (greenhouse gas) resulting from fossil fuel-based power plants and consequently clean and renewable energy sources are becoming an adequate alternative for this concern. Pakistan, despite having the ample potential of renewable sources like solar and wind, still have the 68% of pie consisting of coal, oil, and natural gas in its energy mix. And thus, giving rise to global warming. Utilizing the non-replenishable and costly sources also gave rise to expensive power tariff. High power tariffs and frequent power outages forced the end users to opt for a cheap and clean source of energy for their production needs and in this case solar energy is leading the market. Considering the high spikes in solar system utilization and the benefits which it offers led us to the design optimization of a standalone hybrid off-grid power system with efficient PV model.  Our system design comprises of two primary sources e.g., Solar energy and wind energy. The secondary sources are fuel cells and a diesel generator. Fuel cells will mostly be used during night hours and backup diesel generator will rarely come in operation when there is zero output form wind, solar, and fuel cells. The main highlight of our design is to enhance the solar PV efficiency through comparative efficiency analysis of different types of Solar PV modules e.g., Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and thin film solar PV module under different weather conditions. To enhance the battery backup, we will use fuel cells rather than conventional batteries. This proposed system will provide end users a great incentive to get rid of bleeding power grid and enjoy unlimited energy without concerning of hefty utility bills.

Project Objectives

The Key objectives of our project are:

• Comparative efficiency analysis of different solar PV modules subject to varying external conditions. Through this analysis, efficiency of PV array can be improved.
• Optimizing the system efficiency by increasing the power/system size ratio through proper simulation and analytical results.
• Mitigate GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions through usage of clean source of energy.
• Enhance battery backup with the help of modern fuel cells.
• Non solar hours can be compensated with the help of wind turbine power.
• Independency from main power grid.

Project Implementation Method

The design implementation process begins with site survey for feasibility analysis and building load profile of the consumer. The input parameters of solar PV and wind turbine like solar irradiance, average temperature, and wind speed the site received throughout the year can be collected by meteorological department of the city which will help us in sizing our off-grid power system. The focus of our hybrid off-grid system design is to improve PV model efficiency. To do this, we will do comparative efficiency analysis of different solar PV modules practically under different weather conditions. Different solar PV module will be tested by applying 70-80% load of their rated wattage under different weathers and tilt angles and with the help of clamp on meter we can measure actual output wattage of different PV modules. Considering the data gathered by meteorological department and comparative efficiency analysis of different PV modules, we will select efficient type of solar PV module which matches the site requirement, and it will improve the Solar PV array efficiency. After this, we will select wind turbine rating and its type, based on meteorological department and consumer load profile data. Battery backup will be selected based on days of autonomy and daily energy usage. Hybrid inverter rating can be selected based on surge power, total load connected to inverter, Solar PV and wind turbine output wattage and charge controller specifications. The selection of these components will be done both analytically and through simulation results. The general schematic diagram of standalone hybrid off-grid system is shown in fig 1.

Benefits of the Project

• Remotely located areas that have no access to power grid and those areas who suffer from frequent power outages can be benefited with this alternative.
• Use of renewables and clean source of energy will help in mitigating global warming.
• Barren lands can be utilized efficiently for meeting production needs.
• Creating job opportunities in manufacturing, designing, and installation sectors of renewable based power systems.
• Providing government an incentive to improve power tariff structure and utilization of clean and cheap energy sources.
• Consumers can enjoy uninterruptable power throughout the year without concerning of hefty utility bills.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The final product will be consisting of two primary sources. First is solar PV module and a wind turbine. The output of these two sources will first go through a DC circuit breaker and then to a controller circuit which will perform voltage regulation and conversion. The output of this controller circuit will be feed to hybrid inverter which will convert DC to AC and then to distribution box of load. The same inverter will provide power to fuel tank electrolyzer to produce fuel for the fuel cells. The backup generator will be connected to hybrid inverter’s grid supply through double pole MCB and will come in operation if there is zero output from the remaining sources. All the controlled operation like shifting between solar, wind, battery, and generator will be done by modern hybrid inverter. 

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Clean Tech

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action

Required Resources

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