MODULE 7 Part 1

Basic concept of hybrid system

Expected Outcome
After completing this module, you should be able to explain the basic concept of
hybrid system

MOOC FKEE : Alternative Energy: A Closer Look at PV System Applications

 Hybrid system
• Introduction to Hybrid system
• Hybrid system – Advantages and
Disadvantages
• Basic configuration
• Components of hybrid power system
• Example of hybrid system
 Introduction to Hybrid System
• Incorporate several electricity generating components with usually one major
control system which enables the system to supply electricity in the required quality.
• Components for electricity generation can utilize renewable energy sources like wind
turbines, photovoltaic, solar thermal, hydro power, wave power or biomass power
stations, etc. Furthermore, fossil power plant like diesel generators, gas turbines or
fuel cells etc. can be added.
• Generally, Hybrid Power Systems are considered to supply loads in the size of several
watts up to several megawatts.
• They usually supply island networks that are not connected to an integrated grid
covering countries or even continents – but represent small grids with a limited
number of consumers.

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 Hybrid system
• In a hybrid power system, two or more types of
generation sources are combined to produce
electricity.
• The most common generation sources for a
hybrid power system are photovoltaic and wind
turbines with a diesel generator as backup.
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 ADVANTAGES OF HYBRID POWER SYSTEMS
Advantages
• Reduced fuel consumption – by the addition of renewable energy sources and efficient
operation of diesel generators.
• Lower life-cycle cost compared to stand-alone PV system and diesel-only power system.
• Increased Reliability – The two independent power systems provide redundancy and
possibly greater overall reliability if the hybrid system is properly maintained and controlled.
• Design Flexibility – The design of a hybrid system depends on the load mix between the
engine generator and the renewable resource. For example, as the size of the PV array
increases the operating time of the generator goes down. This saves fuel, lowers
maintenance, and prolongs generator life
• Can be the most economic option - fuel is expensive and the RE source is good.
• Reduce environmental impact.
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 DISADVANTAGES OF HYBRID POWER SYSTEMS

Disadvantages
• Additional investment cost of renewable energy sources, batteries
and power electronics.
• Limited experience of customers and supply utilities with renewable
energy and hybrid power system technology.
• Systems are generally more complex.
• Life-cycle economic analysis required – based on detailed system
simulation.
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 Basic configuration
• There are generally two accepted hybrid power
system configurations:
– Systems based mainly on diesel generators with renewable
energy used for reducing fuel consumption
– Systems relying on the renewable energy source with a diesel
generator used as a backup supply for extended periods of low
renewable energy input or high load demand.

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 Components of hybrid power system
A typical hybrid power system may contain a
combination of:
• Renewable energy sources (eg.
photovoltaic, wind turbines, micro hydro,
biomass);
• Internal combustion generators (eg.
diesel engine);
• Battery storage;
• Power conditioning equipment (inverter,
battery charge regulator).
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 Example
• Hybrid systems can be organized as pure DC systems, mixed DC/AC systems or also as
pure AC systems.
• For larger plants, the trend is definitely to pure AC systems as they are very flexible
and can be easily extended.

Arrangement of a
hybrid system with
pure AC coupling of
generators and
consumers
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