Sustainability Analysis of the Electrical Microgrids Projects in Peru

Abstract

Due to the impacts of climate change, one of the most promising strategies is to promote the intelligent use of technology based on renewable energy sources. One such strategy is the development of small-scale electrical systems, known as microgrids, which have the capability to utilize these clean energy sources. This paper analyzes 37 case studies from remote locations in Peru to determine the optimal design of microgrids (MG) and their environmental impact, while taking into consideration associated costs, geographic location, and demand characteristics. To achieve this goal, an optimization process is carried out using the HOMER Pro software, which aims to size the microgrid to the minimum net present value. This analysis considers five scenarios:demand connected only to the grid, MG connected to the grid without energy sale price, MG connected to the grid with energy sale price, isolated MG system, and isolated demand with a diesel generator. Subsequently, a calculation process is conducted using MATLAB software to map, calculate, and compare the emissions of each case.