Once a microgrid controller is programmed according to the needs of the user, it automatically evaluates different energy scenarios and acts accordingly. It controls the smooth functioning of the entire system and for maximizing the power output.
#Homer pro vs homer grid generator#
Most of the islanded microgrids harness wind and solar energy in combination with battery storage and diesel generator or natural gas power plant based on the geographical location and the renewable energy penetration of the region. Distributed energy resources (DERs)-The distributed energy resources range from diesel generators, renewable energy sources like solar and wind to natural gas power plants.Excess energy produced can be stored in energy storage systems during intervals of high energy penetration and can then be used to meet high energy demand or during times when there is very low energy penetration. To a large extent, for islanded microgrids, it has become very necessary to have backup storage devices since complete reliance on renewable energy sources is not possible due to their unpredictable nature. Battery energy storage system (BESS)-Storage devices have recently become an integral part of microgrids.The average electricity demand to be met plays an important role in the substantial of the entire system. The electric load can be further divided into critical loads and non-critical loads. Electric load-This is the load that is to be met by the microgrid system.The main components of a microgrid include: One major setback while considering the installation of a microgrid is to justify the cost of the system as compared to conventional coal-fired power plants or diesel generators ( Figure 1). Another advantage of a microgrid is it can be custom sized based on the load demand. As the name suggests, microgrids operate on lower voltage levels as well as have a smaller size compared to the conventional grid. Hence, for places where it is hard for the main grid to penetrate, the use of clean energy sources in the form of a microgrid can be proposed. One of the notable advantages of a microgrid is that it can achieve high renewable energy penetration. It can operate independently as well while being connected with the main grid. along with a central monitoring system which is responsible for managing the load response. Ī microgrid can be defined as a combination of loads, energy storage devices, distributed energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaics, diesel generator, wind turbines, natural gas power plants, etc. Microgrids, which are mini power grids, can help solve these problems. Many of these places are in geographically remote locations where either the main grid cannot penetrate, or it takes years for the main grid to get approved by the higher authorities owing to financial restrictions. Over half of the world still has no access to electricity. The analysis could very well be extended to any other communit y byĬonsidering the wind and solar resources present at that location. Renewable energy using microgrids to help the access of energy for rural areas The analysis suggests that the integration of Also, this combined system provided the minimumĮmission levels. There was a reduction of 75% in the costs of the combined system as compared to Through the analysis, the system with the PV, wind turbines,īattery, and a diesel generator was found to have the lowest LCOE and NPC. Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), were the two crucial economic factorsĬonsidered. System, a Wind Energy system, a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and aĭiesel Generator. Tohatchi, New Mexico using different energy mixes of a Photovoltaics (PV)
Simulation program, of an islanded micro-grid for the Navajo community in This paper focuses on the feasibility analysis, using the HOMER Pro
Microgrids are becoming more popular in areas where there is still noĬonnectivity to the main grid largely due to their remote geographical