The Potential of a Mix of Renewable (PV/Wind) Energy System for an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre in a Rural Environment
The Potential of a Mix of Renewable (PV/Wind) Energy System for an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre in a Rural Environment
Authors
Authors
Date
2015-01-18
Datos de publicación:
Electronic Journal of Energy & Environment, Vol. 1, Nº 3, 21-39, 2013
Keywords
Optimización - Simulación - Nigeria - Energía renovable - Tecnologías de la información y la comunicación - TIC - Ruralidad - Energías alternativas
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Abstract
The design is presented of an optimized
mix of renewable (PV/Wind) energy system for an
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Center in Rural environments in Kauru (Kaduna
State), Northern Nigeria with a daily load of 24 kwh
d-1. Solar radiation and wind speed for the design of
the system were obtained from the NASA Surface
Meteorology and solar energy website at a location
of 10° 39’ N latitude and 8° 09’ E longitude, with annual
average solar radiation of 5.64 kWh m-2d-1 and
annual average wind speed of 2.5 m s-1. The patterns
of load consumption by the ICT Centre were studied
and suitably modeled for optimization using the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Hybrid Optimization
Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER)
software. The proposed PV/Wind system was simulated
using the model resulting in two different topologies:
PV/Wind and PV only. From the simulation
results, the PV/Wind system solution was considered
to be the best energy option (solution) for the ICT
Center. This optimization study indicates that energy
requirements to provide electricity for an ICT center
in Kauru with the least cost could be accomplished
by a combination of 8 kW PV array, 1 unit 7.5 kW BWC Excel-R wind turbine, 1.5 kW inverter and 24
Hoppecke 24 OPzS 30000 batteries. The system configuration
suggested also benefits from 33% excess
electricity supply which allows for future ICT network
expansion and power needs. This system also
saves $6,341 for the project lifetime when compared
with PV only system due to reduced number of battery
unit. A detailed design and description of expected
performance of the PV/Wind system are also
presented.