2014 International Conference on Control, Instrumentation, Energy & Communication

335

Stand-alone Hybrid Renewable Energy System-An

Alternative to Increased Energy Demand
B. Tudu, K. K. Mandal, N. Chakraborty
Power Engineering Dept.
Jadavpur University
Kolkata, India
bhimsen_ju@yahoo.co.in; kkm567@yahoo.co.in;
chakraborty_niladri@hotmail.com
AbstractThis paper presents the feasibility and technical
insights of hybrid renewable energy system as an alternative
energy to the existing conventional energy for the isolated load
demand. The system is initially modeled with solar PV, battery
and diesel generator and then optimized for a certain local load
demand with HOMER simulation tool. Cycle charging dispatch
strategy is adopted for the simulation and the feasibility analysis
is also carried out with respect to its net present cost and
levelized cost of energy. The cost of energy is comparable with
the existing cost of energy and it is feasible to use the hybrid
system keeping in mind the fact of detrimental effect of coal
based energy to the environment and cost of electrification
through the extension of existing grid
Keywords Solar PV, HOMER, wind, battery, hybrid energy
system

I.

INTRODUCTION

Renewable resources and energy has been getting

enormous importance since past few years all over the world as
well as in India. Fast depletion of fossils fuels and its effect on
environment has made people to think for the alternative
energy resources. India is one of the fastest growing economies
in the world today. Though the village electrification is around
94.5% as on 30th July, 2013 in India, household electrification
and access to sustainable quality electricity services pose a
threat to the sustainable development of the country [1]. The
necessity for reducing the demand supply gap and providing
localized electrification is likely to have a positive impact on
rural electrification as well as on the quality of power on the
grid. The introduction of renewable energy has a greater aspect
in terms of sustainable development and pollution free
environment. India has taken many initiatives regarding clean
energy production and quality power. The total installed
capacity of the renewable energy sources (RES) is 24503.45
MW, 12.26% of total installed generation capacity as on 31st
March, 2012 and the RES share is expected to reach 17.12% at
the end of the 12th plan [2]. Most of these renewable energy
sources are stand-alone types and are used for partial load
catering purposes. However, the integration of different types
of intermittent resources into a single unit and system
implementation for catering the base load is very sparse in
India.

978-1-4799-2044-0/14/$31.002014IEEE

I. Mukherjee
Civil Engineering Dept.
Techno India College of Technology
Kolkata, India
indra_1978@rediffmail.com

Renewable hybrid energy system optimization, sizing and

scheduling problem is studied by many researchers in recent
past. The problem is dealt with different optimization tools and
methods. Researchers have explored many facet of the problem
with HOMER simulation tool.
Rehman et al. [3] presented feasibility study of the windPV-diesel hybrid system for a village in Saudi Arabia against
the already installed diesel generator power plant with
HOMER. Study showed that the system is feasible with a cost
of energy of 0.212 US$/kWh. The system is also feasible in
terms of reduced diesel fuel consumption and GHG emission.
Techno-economic analysis of stand-alone and grid connected
hybrid system consists of PV-wind-hydrogen was presented by
Trkay et al. [4] for a pilot region. For simulation and
evaluation of the technical and economical parameters,
HOMER model was used by them. The cost of generating
energy for this case was found to be 0.307 $/kWh because of
the use of the fuel cell and hydrogen. The energy production
was evaluated by the HOMER tool and techno-economic
analysis was conducted by Himri et al. [5] for a remote village
in Algeria. The system is feasible for certain wind speed and
diesel price and if the subsidy given is abolished. Khan et al.
[6] studied the pre-feasibility of the stand-alone PV-wind-fuel
cell-battery-diesel generator hybrid system for applications in
Newfoundland. Razak et al. [7] discussed the optimization of
the wind-PV-pico-hydro-diesel generator-battery hybrid system
with HOMER in context of the minimization of the excess
energy and cost of energy. The sizing of the wind-PV-batterydiesel hybrid system was attempted by Bajoriya et al. [8] for a
remote hilly village of Uttarakhand (India). The system was
claimed to be feasible in terms of levelised cost of energy of
$0.296/kWh with minimization of emission of different
pollutants. Apart from HOMER, other simulation techniques
and algorithms developed are also used for sizing and
optimization of the system. Marano et al. [9] used dynamic
programming for the optimal management and minimization of
the cost of the wind turbine, photovoltaic panels and
compressed air energy storage hybrid system. Particle swarm
optimization technique was applied for the optimal design of
hydrogen based wind/PV hybrid system by Kaviani et al. [10].
Present research work examines the feasibility of the standalone hybrid renewable energy system comprising solar PV,
battery and diesel generator considering a local load demand of

2014 International Conference on Control, Instrumentation, Energy & Communication

remote village of West Bengal (23019N and 86022E) far away

from the grid line using HOMER simulation tool [11]. The
sensitivity analysis is also integrated with the feasibility and
economic analysis. It has is also checked the breakeven point
for the grid extension and stand-alone system. The system
having cost of energy $0.242 is quite feasible to cater the load
for the present site and it is seen that the breakeven point for
the system is 18 km.

III.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND SYSTEM CONTROL

The principal component of the hybrid system is solar PV

and battery and diesel generator are integrated with the system
for continuous load supply. Different design parameters are
given in TABLE I.
TABLE I.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND THEIR VALUES

Components

II.

HYBRID SYSTEM AND COST

The feasibility and economic analysis is done on a remote

site far away from existing grid line. The load of the site is
calculated on the hour basis for a typical day considering the
maximum load and analysis is extended for the year. The load
is calculated considering the energy efficient instruments and
appliances. The load data and solar irradiance for the site is
presented in Fig.1 [12].
20

1.0

Power (kW)

0.6
10
0.4
5

0.2

Solar PV

Global Solar
AC Primary Load
Global Solar (kW/m2)

0.8

15

Battery

Diesel generator

Converter
0
0

12

June 27

18

24

0.0

Fig. 1. Load data and solar irradiance for the site [12].

The hybrid system is cosnsists of solar PV, battery and

diesel generator. The system is modelled based on the
availability of the renewable source. The test site is rich in
solar radiance and it is quite feasible to install solar PV. Since
the irradiance is intermittent in nature, conitnuous and uniform
power output is not possible from PV panel. Therefore, battery
is used for storing the energy output from PV panel and load is
catered by the battery output throgh the converter. Diesel
generator is also interrgrated with the system for the load
catering during deficit hours when the battery is fully
discharged. The modelled system is shown in Fig.2.

336

Parameters
Derating factor
Ground
reflectance
Slope
Azimuth angle
Lifetime
Temperature coefficient of power
Nominal
operating cell
temperature
Efficiency at STC
Size of the PV
array
Specification
Life
Initial state of
Charge
Size
Lifetime
Minimum load
ratio
Size
Lifetime
Efficiency

Base Value
80%
20%
25 degree
0 degree
25 years
0.48%/0C
47 0C
13%
10 kW
24V, 150Ah
5 years
100%
5 kW
15000 hours
30
13 kW
15 years
90%

The operation and control of battery bank and generator is

manifested with a specific design strategy. Solar PV and
battery are connected to the DC grid whereas load and
generator are connected to the AC grid. Battery is initially
charged with PV output and then load is fed with this power
being converted through converter. Cycle charging dispatch
strategy is adopted for the optimization of the system. The
generator runs with full capacity whenever required with
surplus power being fed to the battery bank until it reaches to
its maximum capacity. Here system can incorporate multiple
generators operation simultaneously and also generator rating
is taken less than the peak load of the system. The surplus
power of the system is also restricted to 10% of the system
load.
IV.

SIMULATION AND RESULTS

The hybrid system is simulated with HOMER modeling

tool. The hybrid system is optimized with different input
parameters incorporating system constraints and complexity.
Initially feasibility and economic analysis is done with the base
system parameters. The optimal sizing of the system is given in
TABLE II.
TABLE II.
Fig. 2. Hybrid test system model.

Component
PV array
Diesel generator

OPTIMIZED RESULTS
Sizing
25 kW
5 kW

2014 International Conference on Control, Instrumentation, Energy & Communication

337

Battery
160 nos
Converter
13 kW
Total Net Present Cost : $ 273, 892
Levelized Cost of Energy : $ 0.242
Capacity shortage : 0.51%
Diesel Fuel: 14,425 Ltrs/Yr
Diesel generator operating hours: 8752 Hrs/Yr

Since PV being only renewable source, the operation of

diesel generator plays a pivotal role in shaping up feasibility of
the system. The diesel generator load sharing is 45% in the
system and the operation hours of the generator is 8752 hours
per year. The monthly average electricity production for the
system is given in Fig. 3. It shows that power production for
the diesel generator is almost fixed because whenever it is
running, it is running with full capacity but in case of solar PV,
the production is according to the input of solar radiation of the
site to the panel.

Fig. 5. Monthly PV power output

The diesel generator power output and battery charging is

given in Fig. 6 and 7. From figure it is seen that solar output
varies depending upon the solar radiation for different months
and diesel generator is running in full capacity whenever
required throughout the day and battery is being charged for
the duration when there is power output from the solar PV and
generator.

Fig. 3. Monthly average electric production.

Since the generator consumes 14, 425 ltrs of fuel, the total
NPC is high for this system, though the levelized cost of
energy is comparable with the conventional system. The
system cost is also compared with the cost of grid extensions
and breakeven analysis has been done for the grid extension.
The breakeven point is shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6. Monthly DG power output

Fig. 4. Breakeven point for the system.

It is seen that breakeven grid extension distance for the

system is 17.8 km. So it is unfeasible to install this hybrid
system if the grid line distance is less than 17.8 km from test
site. But if the grid has to be extended more than 17.8 km, then
hybrid system is only option in terms of electrification cost to
cater the load of the site. The monthly electric production for
PV array is given in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7. Monthly battery charging power

Though the system is quite capable in meeting the load, still

there is some unmet load (4%) but the system is stable
considering the reserve load of the system. The detailed cost
structure of the system is given in Fig. 8.

2014 International Conference on Control, Instrumentation, Energy & Communication

338

medium voltage consumers is Rs. 8.10 for domestic consumers

and Rs. 8.12 for commercial consumers if the quarterly
consumption is above 900 kWh [13]. It is also observed that
the cost of energy is almost Rs. 20.00 from alternative hybrid
distributed energy resources for autonomous power delivery
system in India [14]. Therefore, it is seen that the system is
feasible in terms of cost of energy from hybrid system to cater
the local demand and also comparable with the grid energy
cost. The cost comparison is shown in TABLE IV.
Fig. 8. Cost structure of the hybrid test system
TABLE IV.

Since the system load is catered through PV array and

diesel generator, the emission from the hybrid system is a
concern for the environmentalists. The fuel used for the
generator has specific emission factors and HOMER calculates
the total emission from the system depending upon these
factors. The emission from the system is tabulated in TABLE
III.
TABLE III.

COST COMPARISON WITH EXISTING SYSTEM AND LITERATURE

Type of
Consumer
Domestic (rural)
Commercial (rural)
Present study
Research Study
[12]

Quarterly
consumption
in kWh
>900
>900
>22131

As per tariff order of WBERC for

2012-13 (Before the Govt. Subsidy)
Fixed charge
Energy charge
(Rs./kVA/mon)
(Rs./kWh)
10
8.10
12
8.12
0
14.52

--

>19.00

EMISSION FROM SYSTEM

Pollutant
Carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Unburned hydrocarbon
Particulate matter
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen oxides

Emission (kg/Yr)
37986
93.8
10.4
7.07
76.3
837

After forming the basic test system model, the optimized

results are obtained. But the system being vulnerable to
sensitivity variables, multi-dimensional sensitivity analysis is
also examined for the system. The sensitivity variables
pertaining to solar PV are augmented in the system and
searched for best optimal results. PV capital cost, replacement
cost and operation & maintenance cost are varied with two
multiplying factors 0.9 and 0.8. Also the system is tested for
different PV sizes like 25, 30, 36 and 60 kW. The nominal
operating cell temperature and PV efficiency at STC are varied
with the 40 0C, 42 0C and 14% and 15% respectively. The
sensitivity results are tabulated in Fig. 9.

V.

CONCLUSION

Here feasibility and sensitivity analysis of a hybrid system

consists of solar PV, diesel generator and battery is studied for
a remote electric load. Optimized net present cost and cost of
energy for the system are obtained and also the detailed study
regarding the power output from the resources, unmet load
scenario and sensitivity analysis are carried out. Also the
emission from the system is examined. System is also tested
against the grid extension for the purpose of electrification. It is
seen that the system is quite feasible in meeting the load and
the cost of energy is comparable to existing cost of energy in
Indian context and can be used for the un-electrified regions
away more than 18 km from the grid line.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This present work is carried out under the flagship of
Departmental Research Scheme (DRS) and supported by
special assistance program extended to Power Engineering
Department by University Grants Commission (UGC), GoI.

Sensitivity Case
PV capital cost multiplier
: 0.8
PV replacement cost multiplier
: 0.8
PV O&M cost multiplier
: 0.8
PV Nominal Operating Cell Temperature : 420C
PV efficiency at STC
: 14%

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Fig. 9. Sensitivity results of the system.

The cost of energy for the system can be compared with the
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Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (WBSEDCL) in rural
areas of West Bengal for different consumers. Taking the
conversion factor of 60 to convert the US dollar to Indian
Rupees, the cost of the energy from hybrid system is Rs. 14.52.
Whereas the price of the energy from WBSEDCL for low and

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