Technical Evaluation of a PV-Diesel Hybrid System with Energy Storage: Case Study in the Tapajos-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve, Amazon, Brazil

Author(s)

Costa, Tatiane Silva ^[1] ; Villalva, Marcelo Gradella ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Elect & Comp Engn, LESF Lab Energy & Photovolta Syst, Albert Einstein Ave 400, BR-13083970 Campinas - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENERGIES; v. 13, n. 11 JUN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In 2018 the number of people without access to electricity dropped to less than 1 billion. However, the difficulty of serving these people became higher, as the locations are in the most remote areas of the world. Brazil, for example, needs to bring electricity to around 1 million people who, in the vast majority, live within the Amazon region. In this way, hybrid energy systems (HESs) count as an attractive alternative for power generation, especially in remote areas. Therefore, this article analyzes a case study of a hybrid photovoltaic-diesel system installed in the Tapajos-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon region. The studied plant is composed of a photovoltaic (PV) system, a lead-acid electrochemical battery bank, a diesel generator, and electro-electronic loads with highly variable demand throughout the year. The HOMER PRO software is used as the simulation tool. The results show that the load following dispatch strategy is the best option, with 85.6% of the load demand being supplied by PV energy and only 14.4% by the diesel generator set. As a result, the system is technically feasible to be replicated as a reliable energy source in other areas of the reserve to supply schools, public health places, and other community services. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/08645-9 - Interdisciplinary research activities in electric smart grids
• Grantee: João Bosco Ribeiro do Val
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants