1. Name the various types of hybrid energy system.
• PV-wind hybrid system • PV-diesel hybrid system • Wind-PV hybrid with diesel • Biomass-wind-fuel cell hybrid system 2. What are hybrid renewable energy systems? Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) combines two or more renewable energy resources with some conventional source (diesel or petrol generator) along with storage, in order to fulfil the demand of an area. Hybrid energy systems oftentimes yield greater economic and environmental returns than wind, solar, geothermal or tri generation stand-alone systems by themselves. 3. What is the importance of Maximum power point Tracking (MPPT) in the operation of PV system? The daily solar irradiation diagram has abrupt variations during the day. Under these conditions, the MPP of the PV array changes continuously; consequently the PV system’s operation point must change to maximize the energy produced. An MPPT technique is therefore used to maintain the PV array’s operating point at its maximum power point. 4. List the types of PV-Diesel hybrid systems? • Series hybrid energy systems • Switched hybrid energy systems • Parallel hybrid energy system 5. List the various MPPT techniques. • Constant voltage method • Hill climbing • Perturb and observe methods • Incremental conductance method • Neural network • Fuzzy logic control Part B 1. Case Study:
A rural community is located in a hilly area with access to a small river. The population relies on wood and kerosene for energy, which causes deforestation and health hazards. To address the energy challenge, the community plans to implement a hybrid Micro-Hydel-PV power system to provide sustainable and clean electricity.
The local climate receives a fair amount of sunlight year-round, and the river’s flow is consistent throughout the year. The idea is to combine a micro-hydropower system with solar PV panels to meet the community’s energy needs. The installed micro-hydropower system generates 20 kW of power, while the PV panels provide an additional 15 kW during peak sun hours.
1. What are the key factors that make a hybrid Micro-Hydel-PV power system suitable for this rural community?
The hybrid Micro-Hydel-PV system is suitable for this rural community due to the following factors:
1. Geographic Features: The community is located in a hilly area with access to a river, which is ideal for micro-hydropower. 2. Climate Conditions: The region receives ample sunlight throughout the year, making solar PV a viable supplementary energy source. 3. Sustainability: This system reduces dependence on wood and kerosene, leading to less deforestation and better health conditions by providing clean energy. 4. Reliability: The combination of micro-hydel and solar PV ensures a continuous supply of electricity, as hydropower can be generated day and night, while solar PV supplements energy during the day. 5. Energy Independence: The system provides energy autonomy for the community without relying on fossil fuels or external energy suppliers.
2. What challenges might arise during the implementation of the Micro-Hydel-PV system in this rural community?
Challenges may include:
1. Initial Costs: The upfront cost of installing both micro-hydropower and solar PV systems can be high, potentially requiring external funding or subsidies. 2. Technical Expertise: The community may lack local technical expertise to install, maintain, and repair the hybrid system, requiring external support or training. 3. Seasonal Variability: Although the river flow is consistent, extreme seasonal variations (e.g., drought or flood) could affect hydropower output, while cloud cover or rainy seasons may reduce solar PV efficiency. 4. Grid Integration: If the community intends to connect the hybrid system to a national or regional grid, technical challenges related to synchronization and grid compatibility may arise.
3. Explain how the hybrid nature of the Micro-Hydel-PV system improves reliability compared to a single-source system.
The hybrid nature improves reliability by ensuring continuous power supply. When one source is unavailable or underperforming, the other can compensate:
1. Micro-Hydel Contribution: The micro-hydel system can generate power
continuously, day and night, as long as the river’s flow is stable. 2. Solar PV Contribution: During daylight hours, solar PV can supplement the hydropower, especially during peak sunshine, reducing the load on the hydropower system. 3. Seasonal Balance: During sunny seasons, solar PV will provide significant energy, while in seasons with less sun, the hydropower system can carry more of the load. This reduces the risk of outages and maximizes power availability throughout the year.
4. What environmental benefits can the community expect from switching to a Micro-Hydel- PV power system?
The environmental benefits include:
1. Reduction in Deforestation: By shifting from wood to clean electricity, there will be
less pressure on local forests, preserving biodiversity and reducing deforestation. 2. Reduction in Carbon Emissions: Moving away from kerosene for lighting and wood for fuel reduces the community’s carbon footprint, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. 3. Cleaner Air and Health Benefits: Since solar and hydropower do not emit pollutants, indoor air quality improves as kerosene lamps and wood fires are replaced, leading to fewer respiratory problems. 4. Sustainable Water Use: The micro-hydel system uses water without consuming or polluting it, ensuring that the river ecosystem remains largely unaffected.
5. What social and economic benefits might the community experience from the hybrid power system?
Social and economic benefits include:
1. Improved Quality of Life: With reliable electricity, households can have better lighting, access to communication (TV, radio, internet), and can power appliances that improve daily life. 2. Economic Opportunities: Electricity enables the establishment of small businesses (e.g., mills, refrigeration, shops), which can create local jobs and improve economic conditions. 3. Education and Health: Schools can operate better with electric lighting and equipment, and health clinics can use medical devices and refrigeration for vaccines, improving healthcare services. 4. Cost Savings: Over time, the community will spend less on energy sources like kerosene or diesel, reducing household energy costs and increasing disposable income.
The DIY Off Grid Solar Generator Bible: [3 in 1] A Hands-On Guide with Practical Projects to Constructing your Solar Generator, Managing Power, and Maintaining System Health
