AC Vs DC Power Efficiency Comparison of a Hybrid Wind/Solar Microgrid

Abstract

This work presents the analysis, simulation and implementation of a Hybrid Micro-Grid based on wind and solar power to source both an AC and DC load. The goal is to observe the availability of wind and solar energy at UAGM Gurabo campus, and perform studies between AC vs DC electrification by the use of commercial off-the-shelf electrical and electronics components. The efficiency of the system to deliver the required the same amount of power to the loads is presented as well. Results demonstrate that in small scale power consumption applications such as lighting, a DC Micro-Grid shown to be more energy efficient and reliable than using an AC Micro-Grid, especially due to the additional conversion stages that the AC requires.