Lecture 16 - Remote Area Power Supply Systems: Alan P. Morrison

Household Power Systems
Lecture 16 - Remote Area Power Supply Systems
Alan P. Morrison
November 15, 2019
Alan P. Morrison
Lecture 16 - Remote Area Power Supply Systems 1 / 18
Table of contents
1 Household Power Systems
Alan P. Morrison
RAPS - Remote Area Power Systems
Non-grid areas rely on a mix of electrical generating sources,

with inverters and batteries:
I PV modules
I Wind turbines
I Small hydroelectric generators
I Diesel or petrol generators
I Hybrid systems consisting of two or more of the above
RAPS systems typically used for loads larger than simple
PV-battery systems.
Originally developed for remote rural homes.
Alan P. Morrison
RAPS systems are installed for a variety of reasons, including:

I Grid connect too expensive
I Grid overload, leading to unreliable supply
I Desire to use renewables
I Desire for independence and low running costs
I Avoid overhead wires in environmentally sensitive areas
System does not generally require high availability, so array
does not need to be oversized.
Generally compensate by using hybrid system to supplement
the PV system to achieve high availability.
Alan P. Morrison
RAPS works particularly well with passive house design and

correct orientation.
Selection of appropriate energy sources and appliances for
different applications e.g. cooking, heating and lighting, are
critically important.
I Don’t use electricity for cooking (other than small appliances
and microwave ovens), hot water, space heating, clothes drying
or air-conditioning as much less expensive alternatives exist.
I Electric fridge-freezers are borderline and should only be used
if highly efficient models are selected.
I Avoid appliances that have long periods of standby mode.
Alan P. Morrison
Choice between ac and dc
Grid connected systems almost universally use ac appliances.

RAPS systems consider dc appliances that may be more
efficient and avoid need for an inverter.
I dc wiring is heavier duty and needs special switches
I Range of available dc appliances is small, thus more expensive.
Combination of ac and dc wiring has advantages, but may
introduce safety and maintenance problems.
Alan P. Morrison
Appliances
Lighting:
I Fluorescent lights, both ac and dc should be used for area
lighting
I LED lighting is appropriate for small, low-power lighting tasks.
I Power LEDs are appropriate for directed lights e.g. spotlights,
outdoor lighting.
Fridges/Freezers:
I Major energy users and should be carefully chosen.
I Choose A or AA rated appliances where possible.
I Gas appliances can be used to reduce load on RAPS system.
I A dc chest freezer typically uses about 31 of an ac unit.
Alan P. Morrison
Appliances
Dishwashers:
I Preferably wash by hand...
I Use type that has both hot and cold water feeds.
I Water connections will depend on how the water is heated e.g.
solar collectors/stove
Microwave Ovens
I The only oven type suited to RAPS.
I Wood or gas stoves should be considered.
Alan P. Morrison
Appliances
Home entertainment and computing:

I Generally relatively low power consumption, but may be used
for extended periods of time
I Where possible use low-energy LCD or LED TVs
I Laptops on battery power - more power efficient than desktop
machines.
General appliances include: toasters, electric kettles, vacuum
cleaners and washing machines.
It is best to synchronise use of these appliances with a diesel
generator run times.
Never use electrical heating elements - heat water by other
means
Motor loads should be driven through generator where possible
Alan P. Morrison
RAPS Home Appliance Load Analysis
Alan P. Morrison
RAPS Home Appliance Load Analysis
Alan P. Morrison
Consumer Education
Effective use of a RAPS system requires:

I Disciplined living habits to minimise energy use.
I Synchronisation of usage with solar and wind conditions and
generator operating times.
I Basic appreciation of energy required for different appliances.
I Basic understanding of the RAPS system and its components.
I Balancing system load servicing via generator and via inverter.
Most common source of dissatisfaction is due to inappropriate
use of the system.
Alan P. Morrison
PV - Diesel/Petrol Generator Hybrid Systems
Most common configuration: PV-battery-inverter system with

diesel or petrol generator for peak loads.
Prohibitive to use PV alone - hybrid system dramatically
reduces overall capital investment.
PV modules can be added incrementally to RAPS system to
reduce diesel/petrol requirement.
Addition of PV panels, batteries and controller improve
efficiency of generator usage as well as reduce system running
costs.
Diesel generator reduces the need for oversized PV arrays
which would be costly otherwise.
Hybrid system design is highly complex.
Alan P. Morrison
PV-Diesel Generator Hybrid System
Alan P. Morrison
Diesel Generators
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
I High operating and
I Power available on demand.
maintenance costs.
I Mature technology. I Need fuel delivery and
I Good output ac waveform
storage.
with little distortion. I Noise and smell.
I Good voltage regulation. I Potentially dangerous exhaust
I Can charge batteries via
fumes and greenhouse gas
charger.
emissions.
I Large selection of models I Must run near full load for
available.
maximum efficiency.
I Good temporary overload I Reduced efficiency until
characteristics.
warmed up.
I Low capital cost for power I Need periodic operation, at
produced.
least 4 hours every fortnight.
Alan P. Morrison
Hybrid System Design Considerations

Increased tilt of PV array gives more uniform all year round
generation, at the expense of total annual output.
Aim for PV generation on a clear summer’s day to match the
load.
Array generation should not be too much below the load,
otherwise generator will keep kicking in.
Hybrid system should not be considered unless the PV offsets
more than 30% of the diesel’s running costs.
Generator should operate infrequently, but near full load for
relatively long periods.
Array should not meet full load to ensure the generator is
operated a reasonable amount of time.
System voltage is selected according to inverter characteristics
and requirements.
Alan P. Morrison
Portable RAPS systems
Typical system configurations include:

I PV array in range 500 - 1350 Wp .
I Deep cycle batteries configured for 24 Vdc .
I Controller and switchgear to protect and isolate batteries,
prevent overcharging etc...
I 100 W VHF transceiver for communications
I Two 24 V chest freezers, combined 460 L capacity.
I Fluorescent 20 W lamps incorporating inverters for 24 Vdc
operation.
I A small inverter for TV, power tools etc...
I Mains-powered battery charger for automotive batteries.
Alan P. Morrison
Reliability and maintenance
Reliability is crucial due to remote nature of system siting.

System faults are generally attributed to (order of prevalence):
I Batteries.
I Inverters.
I Control Systems.
I Other reasons.
System training required for correct operation and
rudimentary maintenance.
Alan P. Morrison

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Household Power Systems

Lecture 16 - Remote Area Power Supply Systems

November 15, 2019

1 Household Power Systems

RAPS - Remote Area Power Systems

Non-grid areas rely on a mix of electrical generating sources,

RAPS - Remote Area Power Systems

RAPS systems are installed for a variety of reasons, including:

RAPS - Remote Area Power Systems

RAPS works particularly well with passive house design and

Choice between ac and dc

Grid connected systems almost universally use ac appliances.

Home entertainment and computing:

RAPS Home Appliance Load Analysis

RAPS Home Appliance Load Analysis

Effective use of a RAPS system requires:

PV - Diesel/Petrol Generator Hybrid Systems

Most common configuration: PV-battery-inverter system with

PV-Diesel Generator Hybrid System

Hybrid System Design Considerations

Portable RAPS systems

Typical system configurations include:

Reliability and maintenance

Reliability is crucial due to remote nature of system siting.

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