Optimization of Hybrid Distributed Generation Systems For Rural Communities in Alaska

Authors

  • Lindsay Willman Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Stanford University
  • Moncef Krarti Civil, Envi- ronmental, and Architectural Engineering Department at the University of Colorado

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.2841

Keywords:

Hybrid distributed generation, remote communities, level- ized cost of energy, HOMER, wind-diesel hybrid systems

Abstract

This article summarizes the results from a feasibility study to de-
sign optimal distributed generation (DG) plants for three remote com-
munities in Alaska. All three of these towns have isolated electrical grids
and currently rely on diesel fuel for 100% of their electricity and heating
requirements. This assessment included an analysis of each communi-
ty’s electrical and thermal load, a wind and solar resource evaluation,
modeling and optimization of various DG systems using HOMER soft-
ware, and an economic analysis of these systems. For all three of the
communities, hybrid wind-diesel systems have the potential to provide
reductions in the cost of energy. However, the economic feasibility of
these systems is extremely site-specific. In addition to providing possible
decreases in the cost of energy, these hybrid systems can also provide
significant environmental benefits, such as reductions in diesel fuel use
and CO2 emissions. Future research should evaluate hybrid solar/wind
generators with combined-heat-and- power (CHP) diesel engines.

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Author Biographies

Lindsay Willman, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Stanford University

Lindsay Willman is a graduate student in the Atmosphere/Energy
Program in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at
Stanford University. She has worked on several projects related to re-
newable energy technologies and hybrid energy systems for rural com-
munities. She has also investigated the impacts that energy systems have
on air pollution and climate. Contact:
Lindsay Willman
Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Stanford University,
473 Via Ortega, MC 4020, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

Moncef Krarti, Civil, Envi- ronmental, and Architectural Engineering Department at the University of Colorado

Moncef Krarti, Professor, Building Systems Program, Civil, Envi-
ronmental, and Architectural Engineering Department at the University
of Colorado, has vast experience in designing, testing, and assessing in-
novative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies applied
to buildings. He also directed several projects in energy management of
buildings. He has published textbooks on energy audits of building sys-
tems that are widely used to teach energy audit techniques. Moreover,
Prof. Krarti has published over 200 technical journals and handbook
chapters in various fields related to energy efficiency, combined heat and
power, and renewable energy technologies. Contact:
Moncef Krarti, PhD, PE, LEED®AP
Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering,
University of Colorado at Boulder,
428 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309-0428, USA

References

Vol. 28, No. 4 2013 29

price is low, this hybrid system is only the optimal system for relatively

low wind turbine capital costs. Solar systems could also be economically

feasible for both Mountain Village and Deering, but they are not part of

the optimal system unless a REF constraint is imposed on the electric

profile. Unlike Mountain Village and Deering, a wind-diesel-battery sys-

tem is not the optimal system for Ambler. For this community, a diesel

system with heat recovery is the optimal system for almost the entire

range of diesel fuel prices and wind turbine capital costs that were con-

sidered in the sensitivity analysis. However, it should be noted that al-

though a wind-diesel system is not the optimal system for Ambler, this

type of system could still be economically feasible for this community.

This is also true for systems with photovoltaics.

The range of COE results supports the findings from previous stud-

ies that have shown that the economic feasibility of wind-diesel systems

is extremely site-specific. The hybrid systems for Mountain Village have

a lower COE than those for Deering. It is the wind resource that has the

largest effect on this result, since Mountain Village has a significantly

better wind resource than Deering. The wind resource also has an effect

on the optimal system for Ambler. This community has the worst wind

resource; as a result, a wind-diesel system is not the optimal system. Ad-

ditionally, solar hybrid systems may be more economically feasible than

wind systems for Ambler, especially when the cost of the wind turbines

is high.

Overall, the results from this assessment indicate that hybrid wind-

diesel systems may be an economically beneficial option for rural Alas-

kan communities with an abundant wind resource. However, it should

be noted that these results are based on simulated electricity and heating

demand data since real hourly demand data were not available for any

of the communities. The electricity and heating demand have a signifi-

cant impact on the optimization, and any changes in the demand may

alter the HOMER results for the optimal system type and the levelized

cost of energy for each system. As a result, a more detailed analysis with

real hourly electricity and heating demand data should be completed

in order to more accurately evaluate the economic feasibility of these

hybrid systems. Additionally, more research is needed to determine the

impact that the PCE program may have on communities that develop

these systems. Despite the issues surrounding the PCE subsidy, wind

systems continue to be an attractive option for remote communities due

to their potential to lower electricity rates and provide significant envi-

Distributed Generation and Alternative Energy Journal

ronmental benefits, such as reductions in diesel fuel use and CO2 emis-

sions. In some cases, these benefits may be achieved without an increase

in the cost of energy.

For further investigation: An enhanced DG approach for this Alas-

kan communities could result from the evaluation of hybrid systems

(wind or PV generators) in conjunction with cogeneration or combined

heat and power (CHP) diesel generators, where in addition to power

generation from diesel, engine and exhaust waste heat is recovered for

water and housing heating.

References

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Published

2013-10-26

How to Cite

Willman, L. ., & Krarti, M. . (2013). Optimization of Hybrid Distributed Generation Systems For Rural Communities in Alaska. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 28(4), 7–31. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.2841

Issue

2013: Vol 28 Iss 4

Section

Articles