Optimal configuration of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for remote areas of Balochistan

Since all renewable energies depend upon the geography, climate and environment of a region, Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) are designed on the basis of these parameters to fulfill the power demands of a region. Optimization of HRES is a process of selecting the best source and its sizing with a suitable operation tactic to deliver economical, efficient, reliable and cost effective alternative energy supply. This study reflects different components of HRES and develops a general model to find an optimal configuration of HERS for remote areas of Balochistan to minimize the life cycle cost. In this study an integrated optimal configuration of HRES is achieved using photovoltaic (PV), wind, geothermal and diesel generator with a battery bank for backup. For this purpose local solar radiation data, wind speed data and components database from different manufactures are analyzed and simulated in HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables). Performance of HERS components is evaluated by incorporating the environmental aspects in different configurations. The proposed system is examined in two different remote areas of Balochistan (Chaghi and Ornach). Meteorological data from Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and from other sources such as NASA is used for the estimation of solar & wind energy potentials.