Control Protocol for Hybrid Multiple on-Grid System Powered by Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

Carlos Armenta-Deu and Sergio Diaz

This paper focuses on designing and analyzing a control protocol for multiple on-grid systems powered by three renewable energy sources, photovoltaic, biomass, and hydroelectric, covering energy demand in the domestic, commercial, or industrial sectors. The system connects to the grid to maintain a null energy balance, injecting the excess of generated energy or covering the energy unbalance with power from the grid. The photovoltaic array and biomass facility play the principal power source for energy demand coverage, with hydroelectric as a secondary source during night or cloudy periods. The simulated system operates near a river flow to facilitate hydroelectric generation. Still, it can also work in places far from a water flow by simply using two water reservoirs to pump and turbinate water to and from each other depending on the energy balance, excess or deficit. The developed analysis shows the system feasibility and economic profitability in small, medium, and large communities with available solar and hydro resources and grid connections to exchange energy when necessary. The correct design of the hybrid dual system provides a reliable method to self-cover energy demand at optimum performance, promoting the use of local renewable resources, reducing dependence on conventional power sources, and limiting the carbon footprint. The paper shows how to optimize the hybrid dual system operation by applying specific protocols for power management, ensuring an efficient energy supply, and guaranteeing power demand coverage.

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