Solar-wind-based village electrification in Ethiopia : a comparision of technologies

• The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibility of supplying electriclight and potable water from a solar-wind based hybrid system. The main target is a remotely resettled community in Ethiopia out of reach of the electric grid. The wind energy potential of the location has been assessed in a previous article. The solar potential has also been investigated in an accompanying article awaiting publication. Based on the findings of the potential, a feasibility study has been carried out on how to supply electricity to the community, modeled as having 200 families, comprising of approximately 1000 to 1200 people in total. A community school and a health post is also considered for the community. The electric load considered is of both primary and deferrable types consisting of lighting ,water pumps, radio receivers, and some clinical equipment. In theattempt of finding the most economical solution, a system with less energy efficient, and less expensive components have been compared to a more expensive system with the latest, most energy efficient ,technology on both the supply and load sides. A system solution on individual basis (solution per house hold) has also been considered and the net present cost (NPC) is compared against the aggregate solution. A software tool, Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) is used for the analysis. The result of the analysis is a list of feasible power supply systems, sorted according to their net present cost. Furthermore, sensitivity diagrams, showing the influence of wind speeds, PV costs, and diesel prices on the optimum solutions are also provided.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Hybrid energy system

Ethiopia

Wind Energy

Primary Load

Deferrable Load

Initial Capital

Net Present Cost (NPC)

Thermal energy engineering

Termisk energiteknik

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)