Hourly Simulations of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for San Cristobal/Santa Barbara, Guatemala

    Research output: NRELTechnical Report

    Abstract

    This paper presents the results of a conceptual systems analysis comparing alternative, renewable energy-based, hybrid power systems to a conventional diesel genset for a remote, non-electrified village in Guatemala. A time-series computer simulation model, HYBRID1, was used to calculate the performance of the various systems; a separate analysis was used to determine the life-cycle cost ofenergy for each system. Detailed hourly simulation computer models, such as HYBRID1, are necessary to properly account for the time-varying loads, renewable resources, performance of the generators, and battery state of charge, as well as accommodating alternative system architectures and control/dispatch strategies. The analysis considers several anticipated load profiles for the village, toaccount for the possibilities of productive and water pumping loads in addition to the base load of household lighting and communications. For this particular site, the lowest cost of energy would be supplied by a wind-diesel-battery system, with a control strategy that operated the diesel in a backup (switched) mode.
    Original languageAmerican English
    Number of pages10
    StatePublished - 1994

    NREL Publication Number

    • NREL/TP-463-7230

    Keywords

    • generator performance
    • Guatemala
    • HYBRID1
    • life-cycle cost of energy
    • load profiles
    • renewable resources
    • time-varying loads

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