Abstract:
A renewable energy source based hybrid power plant
has been proposed as an economical option for
Eluvaithivu, an isolated Islet located close to the
Jaffna peninsula in Sri Lanka. Eluvaithivu is a small
islet with 130 houses[1]. Seventy houses are supplied
electricity by a 28 kVA diesel generator owned by the
Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and supply is given
approximately 6½hours per day. The average
monthly consumption of the islet is 3,100 kWh. Cost
of electricity generation is about 50 Rs/kWh while the
average tariff charged by CEB is about 5 Rs/kWh.
Due to this reason there is considerable amount of
financial loss. This financial loss prevents the
complete electrification and round the clock supply to
this islet.
This paper presents a scenario for supplying
electricity demand to Eluvaithivu Islet by using minigrid
hybrid power system consisting of renewable
sources, battery and diesel generators. Some
topologies of hybrid power system are considered,
simulations are performed and the results are
presented in order to find out the most efficient and
economic way for providing the power supply to this
Islet.
The research study proposes a wind-diesel hybrid
power system as the most cost effective generation
technology for this Islet. This will enable supplying
electricity round the clock to this Islet and minimize
the financial loss by about 60%. Renewable energy
contribution will be approximately 70% of the total
energy demand.
