Energy supply in remote areas (mainly in developing countries such as Colombia) has become a challenge. Hybrid microgrids are local and reliable sources of energy for these areas where access to the power grid is generally limited or unavailable. These systems generally include a diesel generator, solar modules, wind turbines, and storage devices such as batteries. Battery life estimation is an essential factor in the optimization of a hybrid microgrid since it determines the system’s final costs, including future battery replacements. This article presents a comparison of different technologies and battery models in a hybrid microgrid. The optimization is achieved using the iHOGA software, based on data from a real microgrid in Colombia. The simulation results allowed the comparison of prediction models for lifespan calculation for both lead–acid and lithium batteries in a hybrid microgrid, showing that the most accurate models are more realistic in predicting battery life by closely estimating real lifespans that are shorter, unlike other simplified methods that obtain much longer and unrealistic lifetimes.
In developing countries, electrification in remote areas, where access to energy is limited or null, has been one of the biggest challenges in recent years. Isolated microgrids with renewable generation are an efficient alternative for the energy supply in these areas. The objective of this work was to analyse the techno-economic viability of 6 isolated microgrids in different locations in the non-interconnected zone of Colombia, considering different climatic conditions, the availability of renewable resources, the current consumption profile, and a modified profile applying demand-side management. Modelling and simulation were performed considering storage systems based on lithium and lead-acid batteries. The resulting simulations provide the optimal system cost, emissions levels, electricity cost and battery lifetime. This study demonstrates that isolated hybrid microgrids with renewable energy are a feasible alternative to solve access to energy problems, reducing the need for diesel generators and optimizing the use of renewable energies and battery-based storage systems.
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