AC/DC and hybrid microgrid comparison for a waterpump system

Abstract

In this thesis, the main objective is to argue and address the best fitting micro grid electric distribution system for a typical water-pump systems whereby the primary energy sources is renewable. So far, the grid whose main sources were wind, fossil fuel and solar energy has achieved the energy supply for the pump located at 51° 26’ 58” N and 4° 13’ 41” E. Seasonal changes were taken into consideration when carrying out the analyzes in the study from both perspectives; the load side and the energy sources. Energy efficiency is analyzed and compared across multiple types of micro grid distribution systems, and the raw data are processed by HOMER program and the results are deduced as such.
The study consists of various grid configurations. Each grid configuration (AC, DC and hybrid AC/DC) is also analyzed by assuming that all three main energy sources are connected to the micro grid. The system performance is also analyzed with 50% load increase in the AC-DC hybrid network. Besides, each grid configuration was re-analyzed using multiple types wind turbine and PV panels and the results were depicted. In Rilland-Netherlands, which was the selected pilot area, solar energy technologies are not utilized sufficiently because the solar energy potential is low. Therefore, most of the energy is supplied by wind power generation systems. For this region, energy surplus produced could be stored in batteries. However, this is not an option due to the cost and technical constraints. According to the analysis results obtained via the HOMER program, the most appropriate solution is to use a hybrid micro grid whose energy source is renewable and it is Grid-Connected. In this regard, the Grid/PV/wind renewable hybrid in a hybrid AC/DC micro-grid system is the most suitable one for the selected pilot area Rilland-Netherlands.