Optimization, Design, and Feasibility Analysis of a Grid-Integrated Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid System for Rural Electrification

Abstract

Recently, a hybrid microgrid system is playing a vital role to supply sustainable power to remote areas using renewable energy sources. The main motto of this research is to design the optimal hybrid microgrid system by identifying the potentials of power production in selected location. The proposed design provides sustainable power to meet the different load demands of various communities in Doddipalli village, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India. Here, a Hydrogen tank and hydrogen loads are also integrated with the grid-integrated hybrid microgrid system (GIHMGS) for hydrogen production with excess electricity for energy management strategies. Optimization process, techno-economic, and environmental analysis were carried out to construct the optimal system using HOMER software. The domestic average daily load demand is about 704.86 kWh/day. Homer software generates several possible designs, and the top eight are evaluated for use in the case studies. The optimal system (PV/WT/Grid) is decided by comparing the lowest levelized cost of energy ( $ 0.0751/kWh/d), minimum net present cost ( $ 6.92M) and the high renewable energy fraction (97.8%). The proposed design consists of solar photovoltaic (PV)-13.9 kW, wind turbine (WT)-800kW(4), hydrogen tank-10 kg, electrolyser-700 kW and power converter-94 kW. Based on the results, the proposed system has less carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, making it better for the environment. In this research work, the optimal design would be more economical when solar PV, Wind Turbine became the primary energy sources. This analysis shows that proposed hybrid system can be an appropriate model to provide reliable power at a low generation cost for the considered area.