Load and Resource Estimation of Off-Grid Systems

Abstract

Appropriate design of off-grid systems in developing countries requires accurate, detailed characterization of the expected load and energy resources. This chapter begins by presenting the methods commonly used to characterize the load in off-grid systems, including peak load, demand factor, load factor, and coincidence factor. Load estimation methods are the presented, including survey and data-driven methods. The data requirements for energy resource estimation are described. Methods for estimating the capacity factor of solar, wind, hydro and biomass are presented.