Diligence Analysis For Micro Grid Systems in Islanded Mode of Operation With Optimal Switching Control of Converter
Diligence Analysis For Micro Grid Systems in Islanded Mode of Operation With Optimal Switching Control of Converter
Corresponding Author:
Pritha Gupta
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Shri Shankaracharya Technical Campus
Bhilai 491001, India
Email: [email protected]
1. INTRODUCTION
The growth of micro grid systems, especially in rural and off-grid areas, has been fueled by the global
need for dependable and sustainable energy solutions [1], [2]. By combining several renewable energy sources,
including hydro, solar and wind, microgrids provide a decentralized method of energy production and delivery
that guarantees a reliable and sustainable power supply. Among their operational modes, islanded operation is
particularly significant, as it enables microgrids to function independently from the main grid, offering
resilience in areas with limited or no grid connectivity [3].
This study focuses on the techno-economic analysis and performance evaluation of hybrid renewable
energy-based micro grid systems operating in islanded mode. By integrating two or more renewable energy
sources, these systems promise a sustainable solution for meeting rural energy demands while minimizing
environmental impacts [4], [5]. Advanced simulation tools, including HOMER Pro and PSIM, are employed
to assess the economic viability and operational performance of proposed systems. Moreover, hardware
validation provides practical insights into system feasibility. The findings highlight the potential of hybrid
configurations, particularly the c system, in addressing rural electrification challenges with optimal efficiency
and cost-effectiveness.
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By incorporating both renewable (solar, hydro) and non-renewable (diesel) resources, the study aims to identify
the most sustainable and cost-effective configuration for off-grid or rural areas with varying resource
accessibility.
The hybrid microgrid configurations were optimized using HOMER Pro, a sophisticated tool for
modeling and analyzing hybrid energy systems, ensuring they met electrical load demands efficiently while
minimizing costs. The optimization process focused on fulfilling the load demand consistently, even during
peak periods, while minimizing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), a crucial metric that captures the average
cost of electricity over the system's lifetime. Detailed cost analyses included capital costs for installation,
operation and maintenance (O&M) costs for periodic servicing, replacement costs for components like batteries
and converters, and fuel costs for the diesel generator in System 02. The technical and economic details of each
component, such as efficiency, lifetime, and operational characteristics, were specified for accurate simulation.
Resource availability, including solar irradiation, water flow for the hydro generator, and diesel supply, was
incorporated to evaluate the systems' feasibility under different conditions. Environmental considerations were
also a significant part of the analysis, aiming to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from the
diesel generator in System 02. Multiple scenarios and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the
robustness of each system design under varying economic and environmental factors. The optimization
provided insights into the performance, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of the two configurations,
emphasizing the role of renewable resources like PV and hydro in reducing costs and emissions. It also
highlighted the trade-offs of using a diesel generator in areas without consistent hydro resources, demonstrating
the feasibility of tailored hybrid systems for rural electrification.
The performance analysis revealed that the PV/hydro system (MG-01) outperformed the PV/diesel
system (MG-02) in terms of annual energy generation, producing 17,900 kWh/year compared to
16,700 kWh/year from MG-02. This difference underscores the advantage of integrating a hydro generator,
which can harness a consistent renewable energy source to enhance overall system output. Both systems
demonstrated high reliability, with minimal unmet load and negligible capacity shortages, ensuring they
effectively met the 10 kW load demand even during peak consumption periods. Additionally, the analysis
identified that MG-01 exhibited a slightly higher level of excess electricity compared to MG-02. This surplus
energy indicates that MG-01 has a greater ability to scale up to meet future increases in energy demand, making
it a more adaptable option for growing energy needs in rural or off-grid settings. The scalability of MG-01
could also provide opportunities for additional applications, such as integrating electric vehicle charging or
powering new community facilities. This performance metric highlights the potential long-term benefits of
leveraging a renewable energy-based hybrid system like PV/hydro, not only in meeting current demands but
also in accommodating future expansion with minimal additional investment.
Diligence analysis for micro grid systems in islanded mode of operation with … (Pritha Gupta)
602 ISSN: 2088-8694
contrast, MG-02's dependence on a diesel generator led to continuous fuel costs and emissions, making it less
favorable from both economic and environmental perspectives.
Figure 3 presents a comparative analysis of the key economic and environmental metrics for the two
hybrid microgrid configurations: PV/hydro system (MG-01) and PV/diesel system (MG-02). The metrics in
Table 1 include (a) net present cost (NPC), (b) annualized cost, (c) CO2 emissions, and (d) discounted payback
period, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their performance. The PV/hydro system (MG-01)
demonstrated superior economic feasibility with a discounted payback period of 9.20 years, significantly
shorter than the 13-year payback period of the PV/diesel system (MG-02). Although MG-01 required higher
upfront capital costs due to the hydro generator's installation, its reduced operational expenses, zero fuel costs,
and absence of emissions enhanced its long-term financial attractiveness. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
for MG-01 was calculated at 13.8%, a robust figure that further supports its recommendation for
implementation. The higher IRR reflects the system's ability to generate better returns on investment over its
lifecycle compared to MG-02. In contrast, MG-02's reliance on a diesel generator contributed to recurring fuel
costs and substantial CO2 emissions, making it less environmentally sustainable and economically viable in
the long run. Overall, the analysis in Figure 3 highlights the PV/hydro system's economic and environmental
advantages, reinforcing its suitability for sustainable rural electrification and long-term energy planning.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 3. Comparison of key economic and environmental metrics for the two hybrid microgrid
configurations: (a) net present cost (NPC), (b) annualized cost, (c) CO2 emission,
and (d) discounted payback period for MG-01 & MG-02
Int J Pow Elec & Dri Syst, Vol. 16, No. 1, March 2025: 599-607
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Diligence analysis for micro grid systems in islanded mode of operation with … (Pritha Gupta)
604 ISSN: 2088-8694
The driver circuit primarily serves to boost the switching voltage for the MOSFETs while maintaining
isolation between the power circuit and the microcontroller circuit [19], [20]. Its output is connected across the
gate and emitter terminals of the MOSFETs. An MCT2E optocoupler is employed to relay signals from the
microcontroller to the driver circuit [21]-[23]. The hardware setup is integrated with an Arduino UNO, which
generates PWM pulses for the MOSFETs, enabling precise and efficient control of the inverter [24]-[26].
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The suggested converter for the micro grid system has a prototype hardware installed in the laboratory.
In Channels 1 (CH-1) and 2 (CH-2), respectively, the output voltage and load current waveforms obtained from
the DSO are shown in Figure 7. It is clear from the wave structure that the load current is pulsating DC and
that the seven level voltages have been attained. As a result, the output load current and voltage are verified.
According to Figures 8 and 9, the overall harmonic distortion is 3.7% of the load voltage and 1.7% of the load
current of the fundamental frequency, respectively.
6. CONCLUSION
The study highlights the techno-economic feasibility of microgrid systems for rural electrification,
specifically in Tendua. The PV/hydro microgrid system offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution,
providing reliable electricity while reducing dependency on fossil fuels. The outcomes suggest that hybrid
renewable energy systems could play a critical part in addressing India's rural energy challenges, particularly
in areas with abundant natural resources like solar and hydro potential. Additionally, the PSIM software is used
to evaluate the converter operation performance through optimal control strategy, and the output from the
converter is observed as near to sinusoidal. The converter performance with the multiple energy sources for
the micro grid is also validated through the hardware setup. Thus, such systems can contribute to energy sector,
rural development, and environmental sustainability. This study underscores the importance of supporting
renewable energy initiatives and subsidizing initial costs to enable widespread adoption in rural areas.
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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS
Diligence analysis for micro grid systems in islanded mode of operation with … (Pritha Gupta)