Hybrid Diesel/PV Multi-Megawatt Plant Seasonal Behavioral Model to Analyze Microgrid Effectiveness: Case Study of a Mining Site Electrification

Abstract

Mining sites that combine energy-intensive operations with community living in areas remote from the electricity grid are increasingly developing dedicated micro-grids. Fossil oil gensets hybridization with renewable energy resources has gained momentum. Difficulties in assessing performance are experienced by operators who wish to benefit from improved performances. The designers of such systems also need additional knowledge to anticipate the solutions of the particular problems related to the power plant’s implementation area characteristics. The proposed approach gives more suitable tools on the effectiveness evaluation of hybridized microgrid, combining a Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) thermal power station with photovoltaic generator powering mine activities in the Sahelian area. The authors provide key analyses and improvement factors by seasonal behavioral modelling (SBM) of the fuel consumption of the gensets related to the overall irradiance dynamics of the PV array. Several years of data analysis results have been integrated for sharper considerations on the transient interactions impact of the PV/Diesel Hybrid Power Plant operation. The results of simulations carried out using the proposed new models, including the case of an extended system with storage unit, have been used to evaluate the levelized cost of energy, and to discuss competitiveness. This very relevant approach provides additional knowledge for designers and energetic effectiveness analysts.