ICEE2007175-525

PSU-UNS International Conference on Engineering and Environment - ICEE-2007, Phuket May10-11, 2007
Prince of Songkla University, Faculty of Engineering
Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand 90112

OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF A PV/WIND/DIESEL HYBRID SYSTEM FOR AN ISLAND IN THAILAND

Usa Boonbumroong1*, Naris Pratinthong 1, Tawatchai Suwannakum2, Dokrak Pongchawee2
1 2

King Mongkuts University of Technology Thonburi, School of Energy, Environment and Materials, Thailand King Mongkuts University of Technology Thonburi, Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute, Thailand *Authors to correspondence should be addressed via email: usa_kmutt@yahoo.com

Abstract: This paper reports on the operational experience acquired with a photovoltaic/wind turbine/ diesel generator hybrid power system installed as a line extension alternative at Ko Chik Island, located in Chantaburi Province of eastern Thailand, most of the residences derived their electricity from diesel generators. The system includes a 9.0 kWp PV array, two of 5 kW wind turbine 234 kWh of battery storage, and a 65 kW diesel generator. The monitoring system was designed to meet guideline of standard IEC 61724 and within the frame -work of the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System (IEA PVPS) Program task 2. This project was launched in 2003 as a pilot project of mini-grid solar /wind power systems in Thailand. The paper features a detailed analysis of the energy flows through the system and quantifies all losses caused by battery storage and inverter conversions. The paper also analyzes the evolution of end-use electricity consumption since the installation of the hybrid system. Key Words: Hybrid System/Performance 1. INTRODUCTION The growth in rural electrification in Thailand was relatively low in the early 1970s [1]. In the 1980s, with the implementation of the long-term national master plan for rural electrification by PEA, access to electricity by the poor households had remarkably increased and by 2000 reached 98%. In mid-2004, the Thai government began solar home program to provide solar home systems to 203,000 remote households. However, solar home system (SHS) projects in many countries have encountered with the same problems after installation which are the increasing of energy demand. These problems lead to system out of balance and finally the system can not supply such demand. A PV/wind /diesel hybrid system has greater reliability for electricity production than a PV-only system (Diesel engine production is independent of atmospheric conditions). This fact provides greater flexibility, higher efficiency and lower costs for the same energy quantity

produced. Also, hybrid energy systems, compared with diesel-only systems, provide a reduction of the operation costs and air pollutants emitted to the atmosphere. Hybrid systems are recognized as a viable alternative to reticulated grid supply or conventional, fuel-based, remote area power supplies. On Ko Chik Island, located in Chantaburi Province of eastern Thailand (longitude 1229 E and latitude 10223N.), most of the residences derived their electricity from diesel generators. These systems are usually only capable of supplying electricity for basic needs such as essential lighting, water pumping and a limited number of plug loads (e.g. radio, TV).

Fig 1. Ko Chik village aerial photograph [2] In October 2003, King Mongkuts University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) and the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) jointly arranged for the design and installation of a clean energy hybrid integrated electricity generating system on Ko Chik Island incorporated with the energy service company (ESCO) concept to ensure the reliable and sustainable system operation. The decision to select a hybrid system

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rather than a pure PV system for the considered location is consistent with several studies on the subject. This system replaced an existing diesel powered electric generator and was sized to meet the residences known lighting and plug loads, refrigeration, cooking needs but not air-condition. The residence is located about 2.5 km from the utility grid. This site is characterized by an annual average solar energy 4.73 kWh/m2.day and annual average wind speed 5.9 m/s [3]. The daily energy consumption forecast from a typical rural residence using energy consumption of Thailand Load Forecasting Subcommittee, in Ko Chik Island, is found to be approxi mately 256 kWh/day. 2. PV/WIND/DIESEL HYBRID ENRGY SYSTEM The conceptual PV/wind/diesel hybrid energy system is composed of PV array, wind turbine, diesel generator, power lectronic converter, system control, storage and battery, as shown in Fig. 1. The system is designed as AC-couple island grid allowing simple and cost-effective grid-connection of the eneergy source and consumers on the AC side [4]. The outline of the basic design of the principal equipment and operating system is described as follows:
2x5 kW Wind Turbine

height. The wind turbines are connected directly to AC bus, via 2500U Windy Boy grid tied inverter and MP 15A-400V Rectifier with voltage controller. 2.3. Diesel generator The diesel genset is a FG Wilson P75P1 (Perkins 1004TG2 diesel engine driving a LL2014J alternator). 220/380 VAC 50 Hz at a full load of 60 kW/75 kVA electrical power output. The fuel consumpat rated is 17.5 1/hr. Automatic starting and stopping of the diesel generator is controlled by the Sunny Island inverter, which supervises the start sequence and synchronizes the inverter with the generator output waveform before the diesel genset is brought on line. 2.4. Battery bank The battery bank consists of a six series string of 30 x 2 VDC Suncycle AS770 vented type stationary lead acid batteries from Battery Energy. Individual batteries are rated at C120 = 840 Ah and C10 = 450 Ah. Selecting the 120 h rating as representative for the typical operation of batteries in hybrid energy systems, the available storage capacity is given as 302.4 kWh. Assuming a typical minimum state-of-charge (SOC) of 20% and a subsequent recharge of the battery bank to 80% SOC, the useable storage capacity is limited to 241.94 kWh. For the selected load profile, the battery bank provides approximately one day of storage. 2.5. Static power converters The static power converters in the system consist of: The three of 4.5 kW Sunny Island 4500 bidirectional inverter from SMA, converts electrical power from DC to AC, as well as charging the battery bank from AC bus, therefore rectifying AC power to the DC battery charge voltage. Typically, the microcontrollerbased inverter control unit implements a fixed setpoint control strategy, which automatically starts the diesel at high load levels or at a low battery SOC. The three of 3.0 kW Sunny Boy 3000U grid tied inverter from SMA, converts DC electrical power from PV array to AC bus. The four of 2.5 kW windy Boy 2500U grid tied inverter from SMA, converts DC electrical power from wind turbine to AC bus. 2.6. Electricity distribution system Electriccity distribution system, supplying stable and reliable 230/400 VAC 3 phase 50Hz through distribution lines, which takes from the power plant to consumer with pre-payment meter for the collection of electric charge. the households pay their charges with prepaid pre payment that can be refilled at any level they can afford. The smart cards contain identification of the owner and the money available in the card. The system started its operation in October 2004 in PV/diesel hybrid configuration, because the project cost was not enough budget for the wind turbine. The system was operated with this hybrid configuration for the past 2 years until funding from Chantaburi provincial adminstration organization came available that the wind turbine, which was installed in October 2006 and operated in PV/wind/diesel hybrid configuration in December 2006.

9.0 kWp PV array

3x3 kW Grid-connected Inverter

4x3 kW Grid-connected Inverter

AC BUS

AC BUS 400/230 V 50 Hz

3x4.5 kW Bi-directional Inverter

256 kWh/day Consummer

65 kW Diesel generator set 302 kWh Battery bank

**at 120 h rate

Fig. 2 Block diagram of PV/wind/diesel hybrid system. 2.1. Photovoltaic array The photovoltaic array consists of six series strings of 20 x 75 Wp Siemen SP75 monocrystalline PV modules, generating a maximum of 9.0 kWp under peak irradiance and no tracking system is included in the PV system. The modules are connected directly to the AC bus (230/400 Vac 50 Hz), via 3000U Sunny Boy grid tied inverter. A solar controller is integrated within the grid tied inverter to limit the PV array current when the load demand is low and the batteries are fully charged. 2.2. Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) The wind turbine generator is two of 5 kW Fortis MONTANA (5000) - 200/400 Volt wind turbines, rotor diameter 5.0 m, output 4000 Watt at 12 m/s. Minimum effective wind speed 2.5 m/s, installed at 24 m hub

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The two years of operation, the renewable energy fraction of the hybrid system is 12%. The system had generated about 291.98 kWh/day .The renewable energy (PV array) and diesel generator had generated energy 34.03 kWh/day and 257.9 kWh/day respectively. The following year (after December 2006), the wind turbine was installed, the renewable energy fraction of the hybrid system increase to be 27%. The system had generated about 235 kWh/day .The renewable energy and diesel generator had generated 26.65 kWh/day (PV = 37.37 kWh/day, wind turbine = 27.65 kWh/day) and 172.2 kWh/day respectively.
PV 12%
PV 16% Wind 11%

Fig.3. Hybrid system components 3. EXPERIMENTAL DATA The monitoring system installed at the station was design according to the International standard IEC 61724 [6] and within the framework of the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System (IEA PVPS) Program task 2 [5,6]. GSM modem was installed at two places between computer server at KMUTT and Sunny Boy control plus from SMA at Ko Chik. Wireless modem performs the operation by using radio frequency as a media in transmitting electrical parameter of the hybrid system. The computer server performs the function by downloading data consisted of 54 channels (meteologi cal data, energy production, energy flows and energy consumption) from Sunny Boy control plus to a store of renewable energy database which can be analyzed and developed for further sustainable system. The data monitoring can be displayed as real-time via website in three different forms: namely, graphic display, device field display, and numerical display. 4. RESULTS 4.1. Overall energy production and utilization The first year of operation (2004) was a learning experience for both the ESCO and the KMUTT technical staff. It was found that the system was capable of supplying 110,556 kWh, or an average of 302.89 kWh/day. Several other problems were also encountered during the first year, linked to the unreliable operation of the initial generator. During the second years (2005), the hybrid system achieved a more reliable operation level through optimization of the system and in October 2006 was capable of supplying 205,182 kWh an average of 281.07 kWh/day. Diesel generator continues to be the dominant part in this hybrid system.
Power (W)

Diesel 88%

Diesel 73%

Fig.4. Energy fraction of the PV/diesel hybrid system and the PV/wind/diesel hybrid system. 4.2. Energy flow Actual load profile from the operation of PV/diesel hybrid system consumption is shown in Fig.5. The daily load profile is higher in the morning (5.30AM-8.00AM) when the villagers prepare their meals using high power consumption rice cookers and is peak again in evening hours (18.00 PM-22.00 PM) for dinner preparation and show time of the local favorite programs on TV. The generator is scheduled to turn in this time. During the day, village power is supplied by solar energy and battery bank. The batteries are charged primarily by the generator to ensure they have the optimal charge and discharge cycling. When load demand is less than power generating from the solar photovoltaic, the excess power is charged to the battery bank.
40,000
PV Batt DIE SB SI Load

30,000

20,000

10,000

-10,000
0:00 3:00 6:00 9:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00

Fig.5. PV/wind/diesel hybrid system energy flow

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4.3. System and subsystem performance PV array performance Some example data of the DC output power generated by the PV array was measured at the site on October 2004 and was shown in Fig. 6. The results showed that the output power generated is linearly dependent on the irradiance. Power of the entire PV array is 8.5 kW. The average efficiency of PV array is 10.0% and the average efficiency of the PV generator system (include Grid tied inverters) is 9.6%.
12 PV array efficiency (%) 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 200 400 600 Irradiance (W/m^2) 800 1000

For charger mode (left side), the average efficiency ranged between 80 and 90%, and for inverter mode (right side), the average efficiency ranged between 85% and 95%, see Fig. 8. This means that inverter mode works more effectively than charger mode.
100 80 Efficiency (%) 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 60 Power operating (% ) 80 100

Fig.7. the Grid tied inverter efficiency versus irradiance.

100 80 Efficiency (%) 60 40 20 0

Fig.5. the PV array efficiency versus irradiance. Wind energy conversion system performance The daily energy production of wind turbine and the wind speed are linearly related over the wind speed of 2.5 to 8.0 m/s, as shown in Fig. 6.
80 daily energy (kWh/day y = 8.5895x + 1.5723 R = 0.9966
2

60

-10 -80 -60 -40 -20 0

20

40

60

80 100

Power operating (% )

40

Fig.8. Bi-directional inverter efficiency versus operating power. PV/diesel hybrid system performance The evaluation results of January 2005 as shown in Fig. 9. The average final yield of the PV system is 3.92 h/d, the average BOS system losses ranged is 0.27 h/d, the array capture losses 0.9 h/d and the performance ratio ranged from 0.72 to 1.06. The overall plant efficiency is
0.094.
7 System param eters (h) 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 Final PV system yield Array capture losses BOS losses

20

0 0 2 4 wind speed (m/s) 6 8

Fig.6. Power curve of wind turbine. Power converter performance The efficiency of the Grid tied inverter ranged between 85% and 95% depend on operating power, efficiency curves shown in Fig. 7. The efficiency curves indicated the Grid tied inverter do not perform well in case of low solar irradiance especially when the solar irradiance is lower than 250W/m2 or wind speed is lower than 3.0 m/s. The three Bi-directional inverter used in this system, similar to the Grid tied inverter. The measured data and evaluated show similar efficiency for both functional modes, i.e. charger mode and inverter mode.

Fig. 9. System performance parameter (January 2005)

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PV/wind/diesel hybrid system performance During the first months of operation (January 2007), the evaluation results as shown in Fig. 10. The average final yield of the renewable system is 2.84 h/d (final PV system yield is 4.41 h/d and final WESC system yield is 1.67 h/d), the average BOS system losses ranged is 0.27 h/d, the array capture losses 0.36 h/d and the performance ratio ranged from 0.51 to 0.99. The overall plant efficiency is 0.13. The system performance evaluation is shown in Table.1. and Fig.10. Table.1 Summary of system performance
Parameters/Day Solar energy (kWh) Wind energy (kWh) PV energy (kWh) Wind turbine energy (kWh) Total diesel energy (kWh) Net energy to storage (kWh) Net energy from storage (kWh) Total energy input (kWh) Total energy output (kWh) Net energy to load (kWh) Array to load ratio Wind to load ratio Load efficiency BOS efficiency PV array yield (h/day) PV system yield (h/d) Wind turbine yield (h/d) WECS yield (h/d) Renewable energy yield (h/d) Array capture losses (h/d) WECS losses (h/d) Renewable energy losses (h/d) BOS losses PV Performance ratio Wind Performance ratio Mean PV efficiency Wind power coefficient Renewable energy efficiency Overall PV plant efficiency Overall WECS plant efficiency Overall hybrid plant efficiency
12 10 System parameter (h) 8 6 4 2 0 9/1/07

Jan-09 374.82 247.65 24.02 53.34 116.08 29.35 00.00 258.26 233.04 151.66 0.15 0.21 0.86 0.87 5.6 4.83 5.81 5.02 4.94 0.32 25.42 4.46 0.76 0.82 0.16 0.11 0.23 0.16 0.1 0.2 0.14

Jan-18 366.15 37.70 40.70 9.65 154.93 00.00 68.04 355.33 299.46 238.99 0.11 0.03 0.89 0.84 5.43 4.85 1.12 1.00 2.65 0.36 3.64 2.65 0.46 0.84 0.21 0.11 0.3 0.13 0.1 0.26 0.11

Jan-28 365.24 265.60 41.27 58.97 83.66 03.43 00.00 261.89 237.31 160.99 0.23 0.23 0.91 0.90 5.5 4.99 6.43 5.74 5.42 0.27 10.43 4.45 0.57 0.86 0.17 0.11 0.24 0.17 0.1 0.22 0.15

incorporated with the energy service company (ESCO) concept to ensure the reliable and sustainable system operation. The system started its operation in October 2004. Since then, it has been providing 24-hour reliable electricity to the islands fisherman community of 100 households, a school and a temple. Now the diesel generator works as a dominant part in this hybrid system, that has been un-optimized to meet current deamnd and renewable energy. Because, the subsystems of this hybrid system were undersize, lower than design value (designed system is composed of 20 kW PV array, 20 kW WESC and 50 kW diesel generator). Since,the project cost was not enough budget for implement the designed system. Therefore, electricity tariff of this village was depend on diesel price. 5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are grateful to the Energy Convervation Promotion fund, the Energy Policy and Planning office (EPPO) of the Ministry of Energy and Chantaburi provincial adminstration organization, Which had finan cially supported this project. 6. REFERENCE [1] Ram M. Shrestha, S. Kumar, S. Martin and N. Limjeerajarus, Role of Renewable Energy for Productive Uses in Rural Thailand, report Prepared for Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD), January 2006. [2] Point Asia Dot Com (Thailand) Ltd., Point Asia program [Online], Available: http://www.pointasia .com, [2007, March] [3] KMUTT, Mini-grid of renewable energy hybrid system for rural village (case study: Ko Chik village), Final Report submitted to the Energy Policy and Planning office, Bangkok, Thailand, March, 2007. [4] Wollney, M; Mark, P., Flexible concept for off-grid electricity supply current trend for village solar power supply in province of China [ Online], Available: http://download.sma-america.com, [2007,March] [5] International Standard IEC 61724. Photovoltaic system performance monitoringguidelines for measurement. Data exchange and analysis. [6] Jahn U, Grimmig B, Nasse W. Task2 operational performance of PV systems and subsystems. IEAPVPS, Report IEA-PVPS T2-01, 2000. [7] Sasitharanuwat A, Rakwichian W. Optimization of a 10kWp photovoltaic power system using energy management at Energy Park, SERT, Thailand. In: 14th PVSEC, vol. 2, Bangkok, Thailand, January 2004. p. 103940.

BOS losses Renewable System losses(hours/day) Final RENEWABLE system yield(hours/day)

14/1/07

19/1/07

24/1/07

29/1/07

Fig. 10. System performance parameter (January 2007) 5. CONCLUSION The PV/wind/diesel hybrid system at Ko Chik Island was implemented using a step-by-step approach