Hybrid Micro-Grid

Project Context

The project focused on the interaction between system design and operating strategy for supplying electricity to a remote West African community and a large industrial consumer under real operating and supply constraints.

A key objective was to reduce diesel-based electricity generation by increasing the contribution of photovoltaic generation. At the same time, the analysis investigated the extent to which battery storage could shift solar energy into the evening hours.

Electricity was supplied through an isolated power system serving both residential consumers and the industrial facility.

Key Questions

• What potential exists for energy shifting through battery storage?
• How do load profiles and operational constraints influence the appropriate battery size?
• What role does battery storage play in maintaining system stability?
• How do CAPEX/OPEX trade-offs change under different battery sizes and dispatch strategies?

Key Insights

The analysis showed that system design and operating strategy cannot be evaluated independently.

• Surplus generation from hydropower and PV was insufficient to justify battery storage primarily for energy shifting.
• The principal value of the battery arose from its contribution to system stability rather than energy arbitrage.

This fundamentally different value proposition had a significant impact on the optimal battery configuration. In particular, battery power capacity proved more important than energy capacity in managing PV ramps and short-term load variations.