Integrated Renewable Energy System Based on IREOM Model and Spatial–Temporal Series for Isolated Rural Areas in the Region of Valparaiso, Chile

Abstract

Providing energy to areas isolated from the electricity grid through the use of a smart integrated renewable energy system (SIRES) is proposed in this study for Valparaiso, Chile. The study analyzes the process of identifying the appropriate size of a SIRES considering technical and economic factors. An optimization model proposed in the literature was modified, and a subsequent spatial–temporal analysis of the different variables was conducted. The model comprises locally available renewable energy resources, such as biomass, biogas, wind power, solar photovoltaic, and thermal power. Furthermore, it was used to determine the energy potential of each of the isolated areas, identifying those areas in which the SIRES could be implemented as a sustainable solution. The design simulates the cost of the initial investment and energy generation in the chosen areas. The study also includes the selection of different system components and the use of the general model to determine the optimal combination of energy subsystems for isolated areas with the aim of minimizing the cost of energy generations. Finally, an economic evaluation showed that the use of a SIRES based mainly on solar energy supported by biomass, biogas, and mini-wind power costs approximately three times less than extending the electricity grid network.

A Mathematical Model for the Optimization of Renewable Energy Systems

“…In developing countries, such as Chile, it is common to find this type of small towns or villages outside the electricity grid. In a study proposed by [9], these villages can be connected or energized by establishing a point of energy center and establishing a distribution line that clusters to all houses. Given the local conditions of the territory and the availability of the permit, the renewable resources can be integrated with solar energy, oil and other units of energy conversion (e.g., biomass gasifiers and agricultural residues), similar to the one presented in the paper of [47].…”

“…Specifically in the Valparaíso region, it was reported that rural towns were located outside the electricity grid, and approximately 735 rural households in this region are without electricity. The work proposed in [9], shows an evaluation summary oriented towards the resources, load, and demand in different villages of the region of Valparaíso. It is observable that the highest average energy contribution is the village of "La Mora" (https://goo.gl/maps/AJpQvPHsgmZKoHX26), located 15 km from "Cabildo" and with 34 off-grid houses, where the main energy source to produce electricity consists of a diesel generator.…”

“…An electricity generator has a time limit of useful life around 20, 000 h, producing a load of 30. Information on the capacities and resources available was taken from [9]. The data indicate that biogas resources are highest, followed by solar energy and biomass, including crop residues, forest canopies, and wind potential.…”

“…The proposed real case refers to a family of four people who all live in a common house using the "basic" and "equipped" types of components. In [9], the calculation of energy consumption was proposed for a house with the above criteria and disconnected from the electrical network. The authors of [56] showed the difficulties of measuring the energy consumption of any household and in a given period of time, since it depends on a set of factors/variables such as the type of food, its inhabitants, and the economic income of each resident.…”

“…In SIRESs, resources such as solar radiation and wind are considered stochastic and peculiar to a particular location [8,9]. There are other resources such as hydroelectricity and biomass, which are usually predictable, since they include seasonal variations and are specific to the place studied [10,11].…”