Biomass Gasifier Based Hybrid Energy System for Rural Areas

Abstract

Hybrid energy system is an excellent solution for power generation in rural areas where the grid extension is difficult and uneconomical. It is a combination of two or several energy sources such as solar photovoltaic, wind, micro hydro or diesel generators. This offers the advantage that the strengths of each type of sources can be used to complement one another. Hybrid systems can provide electricity at a comparatively economic price. In order to obtain electricity from a hybrid system reliably and at an economically, its design must be optimal in terms of sizing and operation. Biomass gasifier based hybrid energy system has not been reported in literature. The aim of this work is to develop a biomass gasifier based hybrid energy system and to develop optimal operating strategy. An optimization model has also been developed for the optimal operation of the system. The system is modeled using meteorological and load data collected from a typical village. The optimal hybrid system design is realized by satisfying the load demand, non-linear seasonal variations and equipment constraints. The simulations were carried out using HOMER software.