DOI: 10.48011/sbse.v1i1.

2198

Computer Modeling and Analysis of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System Grid-Connected Using
Homer Pro
Cleiton Marques de Carvalho*; Daniel Orlando G. Medina*; José Calixto Lopes*; Thales Sousa*

*Center of Engineering, Modelling and Applied Social Sciences Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
E-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected].

Abstract: Renewable energy generation has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Among the most
used sources in this context, Photovoltaic Solar and wind have presented the highest growth in recent years.
Considering the new topologies and possibilities that arise with the evolution of technology, the Hybrid
Renewable Energy System has been widely explored, being an excellent alternative in the new ways of
generating energy in the future. Similarly, the traditional concept of centralized power systems has been
replaced by distributed power generation levels. Thus, this work proposed to perform a technical and
economic feasibility analysis in order to examine the possibility of an HRES composed by wind and solar
sources, connected to the grid. For the development of the study, it was used a methodology based on
computational modelling and simulation in HOMER Pro.
Keywords: Distributed generation, Grid-connected system, Hybrid System, Solar energy, Wind energy.

Another major change observed concerns about the generation

1. INTRODUCTION
mode. The traditional concept of centralized power systems
The evolution of technology has enabled new concepts has been replaced by distributed generation (DG), which has
regarding power generation, which has imposed major gained an important role in the future of power systems
transformations in electrical systems. Among these (Mehigan et al., 2018), (Razavi et al., 2019). There are several
possibilities, the generation of energy through renewable advantages of this mode of generation and energy. Some of the
sources is certainly the one that has attracted the most attention most important are listed as follow: modularity, greener
in recent years, being the object of research of the academic installation and reduction of energy losses, being closer to the
community and the industrial sector. Decreased prices for loads. (N. Jenkins; J.B. Ekanayake; G. Strbac, 2010).
power generation from renewable sources associated with
It exists a similar thought among researchers about the
increased energy conversion efficiency, which has driven its
importance of DG's role in the future. The increasing trend in
growth every year (Adefarati e Bansal, 2016). Among the
this type of generation worldwide is being perceived. For
renewable sources, photovoltaic (PV) and wind are the fastest
example, in Brazil, the growth of DG has been following what
growing. According to data obtained from the International
occurs worldwide. As can be seen in Fig. 1, there is a high
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, 2019), the total power
expectation of growth of renewable sources using DG (EPE,
installed worldwide from these sources is already over 1 TW.
2018).
In fact, renewable generation is more sustainable, less harming
nature and contributing to lower carbon emissions and global
warming (Al Garni, Awasthi e Ramli, 2018).
Against this backdrop, new approaches to power generation
become possible and necessary. One is the combination of
more than one generation source through a Hybrid Renewable
Energy System (HRES) (Khare, Nema e Baredar, 2016). The
literature has widely discussed HRES, its advantages and
challenges (Khare, Nema e Baredar, 2016), (Lian et al., 2019),
(Imcharoenkul e Chaitusaney, 2019). Considering the typical
stochastic feature of renewable sources, combining more than
one energy source in a single system enables a complementary
power generation profile. Regarding the wind and solar source,
for example, during the day the solar radiation is more intense
favoring solar generation. On the other hand, at night, the wind Fig. 1 Scenario for distributed generation.
current is more intense, which favors wind generation
In several countries around the world, in order to make
(Venkataraman et al., 2018). This complement enables a better
possible the expansion of the DG, it is important both
use of natural resources.
government incentives and legislation that support the
consumer or the entrepreneur of the sector. In this sense, Brazil For the development of this study, the HOMER Pro software
allows the framing of this type of generation as prescribed by was employed. Among many other software options available
resolution 482/2012 (ANEEL, 2012), subsequently revised by in the market, HOMER can be used as a tool to size power
resolution 687/2015 (ANEEL, 2015). generation systems, mainly that intend to consider one more
source of generation (Tozzi e Jo, 2017). This software is able
Thus, the present work aims to conduct a study through
to accurately perform optimization procedures from hourly
computer modelling and simulation for analysis of technical
simulations of energy flow occurring on the load and other
and economic feasibility of a HRES composed by PV and
system components (Zahboune et al., 2016). Another
wind generation, connected to the power grid. For the study
advantage is that the software can estimate the initial
case, the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable
installation cost and operating cost, considering a project
(HOMER) software developed by the National Renewable
useful life, presenting all the recommended indicators for a
Energy Laboratory's (NREL) was used (HOMER Energy,
correct economic analysis (Al Garni, Awasthi e Ramli, 2018).
2019).
2. CASE STUDY AND CONSIDERED SYSTEM 2.1 Demand Calculation
The conception of the present study began from the demand The first step in the project development was the survey of
made by a determined consumer in the present research group, annual electricity demand. The calculation period was from
demonstrating the need to reduce the expenses related to March 2018 to March 2019, considering the total consumption
electricity consumption by checking alternatives within the of all 50 buildings. From the study, a total consumption of
concepts addressed by this work. This consumer has a set of 297,236 MWh was calculated.
50 buildings distributed in different cities of the state of São
Paulo, Brazil, and are registered under the same National HOMER works with hourly energy demand in kW and energy
Register of Legal Entities (CNPJ, in its Portuguese acronym). bills are registered by monthly consumption in kWh. It was
necessary to understand the hourly consumption profile of
Thus, based on the dialogues with the consumer engineering each installation (Singh, Baredar e Gupta, 2017). In addition,
department, the necessary details were detailed and then it was necessary to perform the conversion between quantities
defined as an initial project, considering a HRES for using mathematical methods to be able to perform the correct
installation at its main unit in Suzano. This location was data entry in the software.
chosen because it has an area equivalent to 2,302.30 m2 that
can be used to implement an electricity generation system. From the used data parameterized in the model, the detailed
load profile can be obtained. Thus, the seasonal profile of the
In accordance with the current regulations in Brazil, it is total load of all buildings is illustrated in Fig. 2.
possible that a facility containing DG may share surplus
energy with its other facilities from different locations, 2.2 Input Climate Data
provided by the same concession area of the energy company
and registered under the same CNPJ. This use of energy is in For generation system projects it is essential to consider the
credit forms proportional to the excess energy generated, since weather data that interferes with electricity generation. As the
in Brazil the monetization for energy delivered to the present work deals with solar and wind energy, the radiation,
electricity grid is not provided for by law (ANEEL, 2012), temperature and wind velocity profiles were necessary to
(ANEEL, 2015). Considering the above, it would be possible calculate the potential generation.
to install, at the institution's headquarters, a generation system
sufficiently robust to generate the necessary to meet all the
energy demand of the 50 buildings.

Fig. 2 Monthly Load Profile.

An advantage of the employed software in this study is that the From the survey, the information was inserted into the model,
required weather data is automatically loaded by itself as it is configuring each generation unit. The software has a library
integrated into the NASA database. Thus, it was considered that assists in this procedure, where from it is possible to get
the radiation in the horizontal plane (as shown in Fig. 3) in the models of the components to be used in the project
relation to solar generation and temperature (Fig. 4). The data (HOMER Energy, 2019).
used consider the average monthly value of a measurement
Some of the economic variables calculated by the software are
period of 22 years.
explained as follows:
1) Net Present Cost (NPC): NPC represents the
installation cost and the operating cost of the system
throughout its lifetime. It is calculated according to
(1).
𝑇𝐴𝐶 (1)
𝑁𝑃𝐶:
𝐶𝑅𝐹(𝑖, 𝑅𝑝𝑟𝑗 )

Where:
TAC: Represents the total annualized cost ($);
Fig. 3. Radiation and clearness index of the selected local. CRF: The capital recovery factor;
𝑖: Represents the interest rate (%);
𝑅𝑝𝑟𝑗 : Represents the project lifetime (years).
2) Cost of Energy (COE): It is one of the most important
parameters to be analysed. COE represents the
average cost/kWh of useful electrical energy
produced by the system. It is calculated according to
(2) (HOMER Energy, 2019).
𝑇𝐴𝐶 (2)
𝐶𝑂𝐸:
𝐿𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚.𝐴𝐶 + 𝐿𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚.𝐷𝐶
Fig. 4. Temperature of the selected local. Where:
As for wind speed, it was considered the average monthly 𝐿𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚.𝐴𝐶 : The AC primary load;
value over a 10-year measurement period considering a height
of 50 meters, as represented in Fig. 5. 𝐿𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚.𝐷𝐶 : The DC primary load.
3) Capital Recovery Factor (CRF): It is a ration which is
used to calculate the present value of a series of equal
annual cash flows. It is calculated according to (3).
𝑖 x (1 + 𝑖)𝑛 (3)
𝐶𝑅𝐹:
(1 + 𝑖)𝑛−1
Where:
𝑛: The number of years;
𝑖: Represents the annual real interest rate.
Fig. 5. Wind velocity in the selected local. 4) Annual Real Interest Rate: It is a function of the
nominal interest rate, and it is calculated according to
2.3 Economic Analysis (4).

Then, it was performed a market analysis in order to relate the 𝑖∗ − 𝐹 (4)

𝑖:
price, power ratio of available solar modules, inverters and 1+𝐹
wind turbines, as well as the other variables that influence the
Where:
software analysis procedure. It is important to highlight that
the consulted component prices used in this report are related 𝑖: Represents the real interest rate;
to December 2019, and they depend directly on inflation and
the value of the dollar at current rate. 𝑖 ∗ : The nominal interest rate;
𝐹: The annual inflation rate.
On the other hand, in order to establish project costs, several generation, peak power, topologies and all other indicators for
procedures are required. Regarding the economic variables system analysis. Thus, the optimal options considered by the
included in the software, the current interest rate and inflation software are described in Fig. 7. For better understanding,
were used and provided by Brazilian Central Bank (BCB, System 1 will be named the first option presented (Composed
2019). From these inputs the software itself calculates the by Grid and Solar Generation), marked in green while System
actual interest rate. It is equally important to consider 2, the second option presented (Composed by Grid, Solar and
operating and maintenance (O&M) expenses. Following the Wind Generation), marked in red.
guidelines of (Sandia National Laboratories, 2016) and
It can be observed that, contrary to the project applicant's
(Fraunhofer ISE, 2018), PV system-related expenses cost the
desire, the best alternative pointed out by the software does not
system R$ 40.30 kW / yr whereas, in relation to the wind
consider the use of wind generation. The software performs the
system, this expense was set at 1% of the value of the chosen
sorting of optimized alternatives considering Net Present Cost
turbine, therefore 6,000.00 R$ / yr.
(NPC) and Cost Of Energy (COE). The initial investment of
Finally, in relation to the electricity grid, the energy purchase the project corresponding to System 1 is R$ 567,023.00 and
tariff considered was R$ 0.88 / kWh. It is appropriate to justify System 2 is R$ 1,160,000.00. Through Table 1, it is possible
that the chosen tariff value considers all the costs inherent to to observe the comparative related to the financial indicators
the energy bill as taxes and public lighting costs, being also that guide the economic analysis of the two systems.
considered an increase of 20%, overestimating the tariff.
Table 1. Comparison of Financial Indicators
This was necessary as the cost of availability was disregarded
System 1 System 2
at this stage of the project, as suggested in (Nurunnabi e Roy,
2016). The price of energy sold to the grid was considered the Metric Value Value
same purchase price, R$ 0.88 / kWh. Legislation in Brazil does Present worth (R$) R$1,469,449 R$829,019
not allow the monetization of energy sales, but considering the Annual worth (R$/yr) R$74,588 R$42,080
energy sold equal to that purchased, it is believed to approach Return on investment (%) 14.3 4.7
the scenario of offsetting credits currently in force in the Internal rate of return (%) 18.3 7.2
country. Simple payback (yr) 5.29 11.07
Discounted payback (yr) 5.63 12.57
2.4 Model Description
The economic analysis performed was based on consolidated
From the steps described above, it was possible to obtain the guidelines in the area, considering the reports (Sandia National
model to perform the tests, as shown in Fig. 6. The proposed Laboratories, 2016) and (Fraunhofer ISE, 2018). Therefore,
model considered 5 basic components: PV solar module, four criteria for project acceptance were employed:
Inverter (DC / AC), wind turbine, power grid and primary • NPC > 0;
charge. The PV system needs an inverter as it generates its DC
power and AC power is required to deliver power to the grid. • Internal Rate of Return (IRR) > Real Market Rate;
Since this is a grid-connected system, a battery-powered
• Discounted Payback < Desired Payback by the
energy storage system has not been shown to be necessary as
investor;
surplus energy will be delivered to the utility.
• COE < Energy tariff paid to the utility,
Looking at Fig. 6 and Table 1, it will be clear that both projects
meet all four criteria described above, so they are
economically viable and advantageous when analysed over the
long term. However, System 1 clearly presents itself as the best
option, both for the analysis of the indicators and the order
suggested by the software.
Finally, comparisons were made about the energy produced by
the two systems during the 1-year period. Thus Fig. 8 presents
the results for System 1 and Fig. 9 for System 2. Also, through
Table 2, a comparison between the two systems was presented.
Both the systems presented approximate results, although
System 1 presented more advantages over the lifetime project.
Table 2. Total Energy Production of Systems in 1 year
System 1 System 2
Fig. 6 Diagram of the proposed hybrid system. Metric Value Value
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Solar Energy (kWh/yr) 288.624 285.607
Wind Energy (kWh/yr) 0 7.632
After the construction of the model, the results were simulated. Grid Purchases (kWh/yr) 180.054 176.194
The software performs optimizations from its algorithms to Grid Sales(kWh/yr) 104.489 105.560
size the most appropriate proportion of each source's
 Fig. 7 HOMER optimization results.

Fig. 8 System 1 Monthly Energy.

Fig. 9 System 2 Monthly Energy.

4. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of the results concluded that the most
advantageous solution is not a hybrid system, but a system
This paper presented the study and proposal of a system
containing only solar photovoltaic generation connected to the
capable of meeting the electricity demand of 50 buildings in
grid, although both systems were economically and technically
the region of São Paulo, Brazil. Considering the advantages
feasible. This can be explained because the covered study
created by the extension of the application of DGs, as well as
region has a good insolation index, but an unsatisfactory wind
the current norms, it has been possible to expand the
speed profile. Since the software considers the climatological
possibilities regarding the ways of using energy. Thus, it was
variables to perform the calculations, the low incidence of
possible to perform the technical and economic analysis of the
wind compromised the power generation rates through wind
proposed system, following the guidelines already
turbines.
consolidated in the literature.
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where further detailing, modelling and simulations will be of hybrid renewable energy systems”, Energy Conversion
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