A Case Study: Performance Comparison of Solar Power Generation between GridLAB-D and SAM in Dili Timor Leste

Abstract

Study of comparison of solar power generation between the GridLAB-D tool and System Advisor Model (SAM) in Dili, Timor Leste is presented in this paper. Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to simulate solar radiation for one calendar year from January to December 2014 using six-hourly interval 1˚ × 1˚ NCEP FNL analysis data. The one calendar year results from the WRF model will be used as input data for GridLAB-D and SAM to estimate the solar power generation. GridLAB-D is an open-source and analysis tool designed to operate the distribution power systems with a high-performance algorithm. System Advisor Model version SAM 2017.9.5 is used to estimate solar power performance with Photovoltaics (PVWatts)-Commercial Distributed model. This model is designed to analyze the performance and the financing of renewable energy for electricity generation. The results show the lowest solar radiation is 512 W/m2 obtained in June with an average monthly power of 20.6 kW and 30.55 kW generated from the SAM model and the GridLAB-D simulator, respectively. Meanwhile, the highest solar radiation is 1100 W/m2, 1112 W/m2, 1046 W/m2, and 1077 W/m2 obtained in October, November, December, and January with an average monthly power of 55.72 kW, 62.44 kW, 56.65 kW, and 56.97 kW from the SAM model, in the other hand, 48.89 kW, 51.31 kW, 55.51 kW, and 57.18 kW generated by the GridLAB-D. Finally, the results show that the performance of the GridLAB-D and the SAM model was quite good because both model precisely presented values are almost closest to each other. This study proposes that the results of solar output power from both methods, GridLAB-D and SAM can be used to design grid-connected or stand-alone electric power projects to increase the quality of electricity generation in Dili, Timor Leste.