Abstract:
Reliable access to electric power in rural communities is challenging for the transmission and
distribution system of Pakistan. The extension of the existing power system is a challenge
due to huge investment cost. One solution is to involve microgrid technology for access of
electric power in such communities. Thus, the integration of renewable energy resources at
the currently installed power plants is a feasible economic option for Pakistan. Moreover, for
reliable operation, these microgrids are supported with battery storage. However, battery
storage increases the overall capital and operational cost which in case of rural communities
of developing countries are at time unaffordable and practically unsustainable.
Pakistan is a country that encompasses a large canal system across the country. Besides, its
prime utilization in irrigation, these canals can be beneficial for small-scale hydro power
generation. For additional power generation, other renewable sources, such as solar PV with
grid backup can be applied. Furthermore, while adding hydro resources, the impact on
project performance parameters such as Net Present Cost (NPC), Grid unit purchased,
Capital cost and Cost of Energy (COE) also need quantitative assessment with the variation
in the system sizing. In this study, a canal hydro source at Renala Khurd Pakistan is used as a
case study to measure the quantitative impact on sizing and performance parameters with
multiple combinations of the resources.
HOMER Pro software has been used to assess sizing and associated economic performance
parameters. Meanwhile, for the comparison of HOMER Pro software, Genetic Algorithm
(GA) based Objective Function has been developed, keeping in view the required constraints.
Results show that, the inclusion of small-scale hydel power as an assisting source with solar
and grid combination significantly reduces the sizing of solar PV from 4.7 MW to 0.88 MW
and grid unit purchased was reduced to 47% compared to 59%.
