Techno-economic analysis of a hybrid mini-grid system for Fiji islands

Abstract

This study evaluates whether a transition of large ports facilities to biofuel production for mobility improves the environmental performance and satisfies the renewable energy directive (RED) and it is the first LCA study that considers biofuel production from torrefied wood. The systems studied are wood, torrefied wood, and straw pellets circulating fluidized bed gasification for H 2 , synthetic natural gas, or Fischer-Tropsch (FT) diesel production and use. These systems are evaluated for their global warming, acidification, eutrophication and particulate matter potentials, as well as, for their aggregated environmental performance. The effects of the electricity mix selection and ecoinvent database's economic allocation are also analyzed. All biomass systems result in a better aggregated environmental performance and benefits for the global warming potential. However, regarding the acidification, particulate matter, and eutrophication potentials, most biomass systems are inferior to the reference systems. Switching to a zero-emission electricity mix offers benefits for all the biomass and fossil-H 2 systems and researchers should use databases cautiously. The bio-H 2 and FT diesel of wood-based systems show the best environmental performance and satisfy the current and future RED targets. On one hand, the bio-H 2 systems result in the largest benefits regarding the global warming potential, and on the other hand, both wood-based FT diesel systems offer overall benefits which concern not only the sustainable target of CO 2 emissions reduction, but also the air quality improvement of the broader area as well.

PV–wind hybrid power option for a low wind topography

“…Fahmy et al [24] has shown that PV-wind hybrid system is better alternative in comparison to stand-alone wind and PV system for powering brackish water reverse osmosis desalination system for the region in Hurghada in Egypt. Lal and Raturi [25] investigates the feasibility of a wind-PV-diesel generator based hybrid power system for a remote location on the island of Vanua Levu, Fiji. Essalaimeh et al shows an experimental investigation of using a combination of solar and wind energies as hybrid system for electrical generation under the Jordanian climate conditions [26].…”

Neutral current compensation techniques in autonomous wind energy sources

“…Since wind is an intermittent source of energy, it is integrated with a diesel generator which serves as an alternate source of energy. Micro-grids are systems with clusters of loads and microsources [5][6][7][8]. If the micro-grid is wind based, the high penetration of wind energy along with different types of loads is a cause for power quality issues.…”

Feasibility study and energy conversion analysis of stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system

“…The former investigated the performance of the hybrid system under Martin Island climatic conditions whereas the latter has considered a small village in Comilla. Lal and Raturi [21] have carried out an economic assessment of PV-Wind-Diesel hybrid power system for a remote location on the island of Vanua Levu.…”