Planning of a Northern Isolated Microgrid

Renewable energy alternatives for off-grid northern communities are investigated via a specific case study of Fort Hope, Ontario. The current energy systems in most off-grid communities consist of diesel generators, which can be both financially and environmentally unsustainable. In lieu of this, a hybrid system comprised of a 636 kW run-of-the-river hydropower, existing 650 and 375 kW diesel generators, and 150 kg hydrogen storage and 100 kW fuel cell system is proposed. The design achieves a renewable energy penetration of 54%, a levelised cost of energy 41% less than the baseline model, and a reduction of 2,000 tonnes in annual diesel generator emissions. The HOMER model developed for the design is compared to RETScreen results; total power output deviated by 2%, however, renewable energy penetration varied largely due to monthly versus hourly modelling techniques and different controls on the dispatch strategy in each modeling software. Total capital costs and annual operating costs of the proposed design are $4.6 million and $990,000, respectively. Renewable energy systems can be considered a solution to humanitarian concerns due to increasing utility costs, emissions and load constraints. Renewable energy systems in remote communities require further research and development to lower equipment costs and enhance policy to achieve financial viability.

SummaryDependency on alternative energy sources has increased due to the depletion of fossil fuel and their costs. Even though the usage of renewable energy sources (RESs) has significantly reduced these problems, there are quite a few challenges like reliability, lower efficiency, and high cost which can be overcome by the integration of multiple RES to meet the energy demand. In this study, a multi‐objective approach is proposed to get the best optimal sizing configuration of a standalone hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) by choosing the minimization of the total cost of the system and loss of power supply probability. In this regard, wind turbines, solar photovoltaic (PV), battery storage systems, biomass, and diesel generators are used to design HRES. The proposed approach deals with the intermittent nature of wind and solar PV power generation using Weibull distribution to model wind speed and solar irradiance. The normal distribution is used to model the load demand. The backtracking search algorithm capable of solving single‐objective optimization problems is modified to handle the multi‐objective optimization problem and to find the optimal sizes of wind turbines, solar PV, battery storage system, diesel, and biomass generators for efficient HRES performance.

Feature selection plays a critical role in the performance of machine learning (ML)-based estimation techniques. Although feature selection has received moderate attention for tracking the state of charge (SOC) in batteries used for electric vehicles (EVs), it remains under-explored in the context of photovoltaic battery energy storage system (PV-BESS) applications. This study evaluates the significance of input features for SOC estimation in PV-BESS. We employ the permutation feature importance (PFI) method to assess the contribution of input features. The estimator model is implemented using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN). The results show that although conventional features such as voltage, current, and temperature remain dominant predictors during both charging and discharging cycles, environmental features such as solar irradiance and humidity can also make a moderate contribution. Following the feature importance analysis, the developed 1D-CNN estimator is also employed for SOC tracking using the full feature set. The results demonstrate that the estimator achieves good performance, yielding low root mean squared errors (RMSEs).

Grid connection is often not available at remote locations. As a result, diesel generators are commonly used in Indian remote military bases to generate electricity locally. Transportation of diesel to these remote locations is often difficult and expensive task. Communication and surveillance equipments along with border fences and illumination need reliable electricity supply. Any disruption in diesel supply can severely impact the operation of the military base. Fuel transportation routes are often cut off during extreme weather conditions. In addition, diesel generators are prone to failure and cause significant air pollutions. Renewable energy sources are often available at these remote locations. These renewable energy sources can be used to substitute the diesel based generation partially. In this paper, hybrid microgrids consisting of both renewable and diesel generators are proposed for remote military bases. Use of local renewable sources reduces the dependence on external diesel supply. In addition, the consumption of diesel is reduced due to the use of renewable energy sources. Detailed Cost Benefit analysis has been done to show the effectiveness of the hybrid microgrid. It is shown that this hybrid microgrid can be a possible solution for reduction of diesel consumption in remote military bases of India.

Bulang Kebam Island is one of the small islands located in the west part of Batam City, Riau Islands Province. The region has a deficiency of energy because both central and local governments have not been able to build electrical grid connections for the region, hence the electricity demand can only be met for six hours per day using a diesel generator. In order to provide a more continuous supply, an alternative source of energy by utilizing the potential of tidal energy resources around Bulang Kebam Island is needed. In support of an effective and efficient renewable energy project development, a study of the community readiness level in Bulang Kebam Island is conducted. Rapid Appraisal for Community Readiness (RAPCR) method is used for this purpose, which consists of social, economic, environment, technology, and institutional factors. The results showed that the community readiness index were categorized as sufficiently ready with values of 61.84, 64.15 and 72.55 for the environment, technology, and institutional factors respectively. While from the economic and social factors, community readiness index were categorized as ready with values of 82.94 and 84.93. Furthermore, the dominant attributes from each factor were analyzed and ranked by using Leverage analysis. The most dominant attribute from economic, environment, technology, social, and institutional factors respectively are potential for renewable energy funding from the community, level of environmental difficulty on the implementation of renewable energy, area availability for renewable energy technology, a clear roles in the implementation of renewable energy, and commitment of local government to renewable energy. The results of this study is expected to be a reference and recommendations for the development of appropriate target and advantage of renewable energy project development in Bulang Kebam Island.

Accelerated development of eco-friendly technologies, such as renewable energy (RE), smart grids, and electric transportation will shape the future of electric power generation and supply. The power consumption characteristics of modern power systems are designed to be more flexible and easily controllable, which will also affect the sizing of power generation system. This paper presents a methodology for the joint capacity optimization of a typical residential standalone microgrid (MG) employing RE sources, i.e., solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines (WTs), diesel generators (DGs), and battery energy storage system (BESS). The MG supplies a residential community load comprising of typical residential load plus electric vehicles (EVs) charging load. The realistic mathematical models of PV, WT, diesel generation system, BESS, and EV load are formulated to improve the capacity optimization methodology, which involves various realistic constraints associated with the RE sources, diesel generation system, BESS, and EV load. The labyrinthine optimization problem is formulated and solved innovatively to 1) minimize the cost; 2) reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions; and 3) curtail dump energy. All three objectives have special significance in designing a standalone MG, for example, cost is related to the economics, GHG emissions deal with global warming, and dump energy is related to the stability and economics of the system. The optimization problem is solved for different possible combinations of PV, WT, DG, and BESS to determine the best possible combination to serve the load effectively and economically. In addition, the impact of load shifting on the sizes of distributed generators and BESS in terms of per-unit cost and GHG emissions is analyzed using the concept of controllable loads. This study could be assumed as a powerful roadmap for decision makers, analysts, and policy makers.

A simple evaluation of the cost effectiveness of photovoltaic systems is presented. The evaluation is based on a calculation of breakeven costs of photovoltaics (PV) arrays with the levelized costs of two alternative energy sources (1) extension of the utility grid and (2) diesel generators. A selected number of PV applications experiments that are in progress in remote areas of the US are summarized. These applications experiments range from a 23 watt insect survey trap to a 100 kW PV system for a national park complex. It is concluded that PV systems for remote areas are now cost effective in remote small applications with commercially available technology and will be cost competitive for intermediate scale systems (approx. 10 kW) in the 1980s if the DOE 1986 Commercial Readiness Goals are achieved.

Accelerating decarbonization commitments are driving the deployment of renewable-dominant microgrids (MG) to extend reliable, affordable, and clean electricity to remote areas. In power systems with high renewable energy sources penetration, variability in photovoltaic generation (PV) makes energy storage a pivotal resource; this role becomes particularly critical in islanded operation, where its lifetime economics hinge on how battery degradation is modeled inside the Energy Management System (EMS). Second-life batteries (SLB) offer a promising, lower-cost, circular-economy option for stationary storage; however, their heterogeneous aging histories complicate Remaining Useful Life (RUL) estimation and operational planning. This paper presents the development and theoretical implementation of a degradation model for an SLB pack in an isolated MG EMS. The system comprised a PV system, diesel generator, and SLB. An empirical degradation model of SLBs was incorporated into the EMS objective function and compared with a linear model. The empirical model was refined using two additional factors: one to represent thermal heterogeneity at the module level and the other to capture calendar aging and the effect of the average state of charge. The results show that the choice of degradation model directly impacts the costs, dispatch strategy, and estimation of the remaining useful life. Furthermore, it was determined that temperature and internal thermal gradients are the most decisive external factors in the degradation of stationary systems. Finally, it was concluded that SLBs can operate between 6.9 and 11.3 years (equivalent to 2520–4114 full cycles), depending on the severity of the operating conditions and model parameterization. • Energy management system for microgrids with second-life batteries (SLB). • Economic dispatch formulation with degradation model of SLB. • Technical and economic viability of SBL applied to microgrids. • Thermal heterogeneity, average state of charge, and aging calendar improved degradation model. • Temperature and intra-module thermal gradients relevant aspects for SLB.

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a comprehensive methodology for setting up rural electrifications for indigenous villages with minimum budgets and the lowest possible cost of electricity (COE). The electricity accessibility of rural area in Malaysia is not fully covered and the cost of extending the grid to these areas can be high as RM 2.7m per km. Lack of vigorous policies and economic attraction of the rural areas are also the main barriers to rural electrification. Electricity is an essential element of economic activities and the lack of electricity exacerbates poverty and contributes to its perpetuation. Therefore, a hybrid standalone power system can be an alternative solution for the rural electrification. A hybrid standalone power system is studied to investigate the potential of the implementation and the budget required.Design/methodology/approachA site survey has been carried out in a village in Peninsular Malaysia, namely, Kampung Ulu Lawin Selatan. A standalone hybrid system is modeled in HOMER Pro software and the data collected from the selected site are used to obtain the system configuration with the lowest COE. The load following and cycle charging energy dispatch methods are compared to identify the optimal system configuration that yields the lowest COE. The diesel generator-only system is chosen as a benchmark for comparisons.FindingsThe results show that the hybrid system constituted from the diesel generator, photovoltaic (PV), micro-hydro and energy storage using the load following energy dispatch method yields the lowest COE of RM 0.519 per kWh. The COE of the hybrid system is 378 per cent lower than that of the diesel generator-only system. The lead-acid energy storage system (ESS) is able to reduce 40 per cent of COE as compared to the system without ESS.Originality/valueThe results indicate that the COE of the diesel-micro hydro-PV-ESS system with load following dispatch strategy is RM 0.519 per kWh, and this value is 35 per cent higher than the average electricity price in Malaysia. However, it is important to note that the costs of extending the grid to the rural area are not taken into account. If this cost is considered into the electricity price, then the standalone hybrid power system proposed by this study is still a competitive alternative for rural electrification.

In a multi-microgrid (MMG) system, flexible loads (FLs) and hydrogen energy storage systems (HESS) are crucial for demand response, significantly improving system reliability. However, communication delays may hinder the timely scheduling of FLs, HESS, and generators, potentially reducing operational efficiency. To address this challenge, a multi-objective distributed economic dispatch (MODED) strategy is proposed, considering both communication delay and FLs. The strategy employs a unified framework that ensures comprehensive optimization by transforming the economic dispatch problem (EDP) of MMG into a multi-agent consensus problem. The MMG model is constructed with multiple microgrids (MGs), each comprising diesel generators (DGs), renewable energy (RE), and FLs. Meanwhile, it improves environmental sustainability that considering both the environmental pollution caused by fossil fuels and inclusion of HESS in economic scheduling improves environmental sustainability. Firstly, the incremental costs of generators (DGs and RE) and benefits of FLs are marginal costs by leveraging multi-agent consensus theory, ensuring optimal power generation and maintaining the supply-demand balance within each MG. Then the maximum allowable communication delay bound is determined by Z-transform and generalized Nyquist. Furthermore, an improved Metropolis method is proposed to solve the weight matrix in the consensus algorithm, facilitating accurate power flow interactions between the MGs and accelerating system convergence. Stability analysis of the proposed method is also conducted. Finally, the effectiveness and economic benefits of the proposed strategy are demonstrated through experiments.

The transition to sustainable energy solutions in field camps marks a small yet meaningful step toward decarbonization. The project, "Shining Brighter: Solar Power at the Field for a Net-Zero Future," focuses on implementing solar-powered technologies for tower lights and autonomous security camps in the south of Mexico. These solutions aim to reduce carbon emissions, minimize reliance on diesel-powered generators, and align operations with sustainability goals while improving operational efficiency. This initiative addressed challenges associated with traditional equipment that rely on diesel generators, characterized by high fuel consumption, frequent resupply trips, logistic emissions, maintenance demands, and high Scope 3 emissions. Custom-designed for drilling rig operations, solar-powered systems were introduced through collaborations with suppliers. These systems replaced conventional technologies, eliminating the need for diesel, significantly reducing maintenance requirements, and enhancing safety by minimizing personnel exposure in the field. The key results demonstrated the significant and measurable benefits of these sustainable solutions. Each site equipped with solar tower lights and autonomous camps achieved a reduction of 40 tons of CO2e emissions per well over six months of operations, an impact equivalent to the annual emissions of 10 vehicles. Additionally, man-hour exposure was reduced by 30%, lowering the risk associated with field operations and enhancing overall safety. The reliance on diesel-powered generators was significantly minimized, leading to a 70% reduction in frequent resupply trips, which previously required travel distances of 200 to 500 km per trip. This not only strengthened HSE (Health, Safety, and Environmental) standards but also contributed to a substantial decrease in fuel consumption, transportation risks, and associated emissions. Furthermore, by eliminating the need for continuous diesel supply and generator maintenance, these innovations have led to a reduction in operational costs. The implementation of solar-powered technology has also improved operational safety by reducing third-party interactions, minimizing the presence of external personnel on-site, and further mitigating potential safety hazards. These results highlight how renewable energy solutions can successfully integrate into field operations, providing environmental, economic, and safety advantages without compromising efficiency. This project highlights the alignment of sustainability and operational efficiency, delivering measurable benefits for the stakeholders and the environment. Future phases target the development of fully solar-powered offices and dormitory camps, potentially eliminating the use of diesel generators from campsite equipment. This initiative sets a benchmark for reducing emissions at the field and demonstrates that renewable energy can be introduced into field operations with solutions designed to improve the end-user experience while contributing to a balanced planet.

The aim of this paper is to optimally design a stand alone photovoltaic power supply system for air conditioning application at Samara University to be used as an alternative to diesel generator supply. Samara University is established in samara town, Afar region and has an average daily radiation of 6.10kwh/m2, sun shine duration of about 10 hours. This condition invites the use of photovoltaic system as an alternative primary energy source to replace the existing diesel generator supply system. Therefore in order to use this energy source for air conditioning application, the cooling load of the building, 628 tons, is estimated using Newton’s thumb rule. The evaporative air conditioning system which is sometimes called desert cooler is selected to condition the estimated cooling load of the dwelling room. The sizing method (numerical method and HOMER software tools) is complementarily used to design a standalone photovoltaic power supply system. Finally, the metric value of the present worth is US $ 3,302,066 and its simple payback is 6.6 years, and this foreseen that the attractiveness of photovoltaic power system as one of renewable energy to be used as an alternative to diesel generator in the near future.

This paper aims to provide an alternative green energy source for a remote GSM base station. To achieve this, a hybrid renewable energy (RE) plant is proposed, comprising a wind turbine, photovoltaic panels, and a fuel cell (incorporated with an electrolyzer and a hydrogen tank for the production and uniform supply of hydrogen). The system will be controlled logically by a power flow controller which will help to provide continuous power to the base station by application of economic optimization of power generation. The hybrid system and the associated load (GSM base Station) are simulated using the HOMER software and required analyses carried out. The simulation results show that renewable energy sources are feasible solutions to reducing air contaminants and pollutants (such as SO 2 & CO 2 ) produced by sources like diesel generators which also serve as an alternate source of energy for a remote GSM base station.

This paper presents a study that focuses on alleviating the impacts of grid outages in Ethiopia. To deal with grid outages, most industrial customers utilize backup diesel generators (DG) which are environmentally unfriendly and economically not viable. Grid-integration of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) might be a possible solution to enhance grid reliability and reduce environmental and economic impacts of utilizing DG. In this study, an optimization of grid integrated HRES is carried out for different dispatch and control strategies. The optimal power supply option is determined by performing comparative analysis of the different configurations of grid integrated HRES. The result of the study shows that grid integrated HRES consisting of photovoltaic and wind turbine as renewable energy sources, and battery and hydrogen as hybrid energy storage systems is found to be the optimal system to supply the load demand. From the hydrogen produced on-site, the FC generator and FCEVs consume 143 620 kg/yr of hydrogen which is equivalent to 394 955 kg/yr gasoline fuel consumption. This corresponds to saving 1 184 865 kg/yr of CO2 emissions and 605 703 $/yr revenue. Besides, this system yields 547 035.4 $/yr revenue by injecting excess electricity to the grid. The study clearly shows the economic and environmental viability of this new technology for implementation.

Hybrid micro-compressed air energy storage with photovoltaic and diesel generation for off-grid applications: A parametric life cycle and techno-economic study