Renewable energy has its share of challenges. Such include the unavailability of power when natural resources are not available, inconsistent power supply. The location can also hinder its availability. For this reason, complementing these power sources is essential. Such integration creates hybrid energy systems.
In terms of global uptake, wind power is faster in growth when compared to solar. However, the strength of the wind varies, affecting energy production. However, solar is one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy. In this article, we will discuss solar and wind power systems. Let’s get started.
Everything You Should Know About Solar-Wind Hybrid System
When discussing wind-solar hybrid energy, you can focus on various characteristics. Such are optimization, grid, reliability, and so on. A hybrid power system provides reliable electricity. In most cases, you will find the strength in one system makes up for the other’s weakness.
Generally, having an integrated system can help in improving the economy. When you install this system as a stand-alone, it tends to reduce the energy storage size required to support effective operations.
There are two types of hybrid solar and wind power generation systems: stand-alone and grid-connected.
Grid-Connected
Are you wondering about how best to utilize renewable energy? Using a combination of solar and wind energy will help improve reliability and reduce the overall cost of power. The grid will take the excess energy from the wind and solar systems and supply it to the site loads when needed through this approach.
Optimization
Wind and solar cannot produce energy all the time as production is limited to when it’s sunny or windy. For better odds, combining these two energy systems is the way to go. Generally, it improves the overall output. For you to have the correct number of wind turbines and solar panels, you require optimization.
Here, optimization performance indicators are used to determine the expected output by the PV-wind system and how reliable it will be. Such indicators include Net Present Value, Energy Expected Not Supplied, and cost of energy.
Power Quality Issues
Hybrid systems connected to the grid will have a direct impact on its quality. Power quality issues include voltage fluctuation, fluctuation of the frequency, as well as varying harmonics. Additionally, when there is an unstable power supply, the reliability of a network is affected. When there are accurate forecasting and proper scheduling of the systems, you can minimize such issues.
When there is a continuous variation of solar radiation and wind speed, voltage fluctuation occurs. The grid load size and type determine the characteristics of the fluctuation. To solve this problem in hybrid system energy, you can use dynamic voltage regulators.
Stand-Alone Systems
Do you want a reliable source of power in remote areas? A stand-alone system offers power solutions in areas without proper utilities. In particular, a place without transmission lines where installation would be costly.
Stand-alone systems are further subdivided into two categories. These are common direct current (DC) bus and common alternating current (AC) bus. One significant disadvantage of a stand-alone hybrid system is the cost incurred for power storage. The combination of wind and solar can, however, reduce the overall storage cost.
In this system, an increase of the solar arrays or the wind turbines would be a better choice than increasing storage batteries. However, using a few batteries can affect the desired reliability.
Optimization
Combining solar and wind will improve output. However, to have power continuously, you need an energy storage option. The storage will be responsible for covering any gaps in production. The storage can be a battery or fuel cells. There are cases where the solar-wind system has been integrated with a battery and diesel generator back up. Since the goal is to have clean, renewable energy, a battery storage bank is ideal.
Power Quality
With a stand-alone option, you connect the loads to a grid. Due to this, any intermittent energy supply from solar and wind compromises the loads. Voltage fluctuation can occur as a result of variations in wind speeds and changes in solar radiation. Accurate forecasting is required to resolve such an issue. You can adjust the Scheduling system accurately.
Micro Grid
Micro-grid refers to a network build for joining distributed energy resources. It also controls operations, assesses power quality issues, and manages energy systems for sustaining power and load demand.
It is challenging to control hybrid renewable energy systems in micro-grids. The challenge involves measuring parameters such as PV array voltage, wind speed, solar irradiation and insolation, and AC annual valuation.
Benefits of Hybrid Energy
The combination of wind and solar energy offers users’ numerous benefits. These include:
Efficiency
When the two sources are integrated, they cover each other’s weaknesses and offer reliable energy sources. Whether you connect to the grid or have your energy storage options, the two sources supplement each other. As a result, there is a guaranteed continuous flow of energy.
Planned Production
A hybrid energy system allows for planned power production. Through reliance on long-term weather data or artificial intelligence techniques, you can determine your energy production. If such data is not readily available, you can rely upon synthetic methods or genetic algorithms.
In cases where the system is connected, you can use optimization indicators to estimate the expected output.
Offset Seasonal Variations
Solar PV energy system is more productive in summer as the sun is available in plenty. Then wind turbines during winter as it tends to be windier. When you look at electricity production yearly, a hybrid system offsets these seasonal variations.
Small-sized Diesel Generator
It is not a secret, but emergencies occur that require another source of power. When you have a hybrid solar and wind system, you reduce reliance on diesel-powered generators significantly. Such contributes to reducing the carbon emissions and the carbon footprint.
Offers Opportunity for Innovation
A hybrid energy system seeks to attain a balance of consumption and production. Various techniques for the generation, consumption, and storage of power are integrated to achieve this. Such integration leads to the development of new technologies, which leads to the growth of the renewable energy industry.
Increased Production
More and more people are looking to the solutions hybrid energy systems provide. Cities, municipalities, and commercial industries have also not been left behind. A hybrid system represents an efficient and effective power management option increasing energy security.
Solar and wind can be unpredictable. Using an energy system that combines the best aspects of those two sources provides efficient power. The combined sources become better together by having a stable daily output.
Generally, the whole system maintains productivity throughout the day and night. Wind power tends to be stronger at night, a factor that contributes to continuous energy production.
When relying on a wind-solar energy system, you can connect to a grid or use a stand-alone option. However, using a stand-alone can require a higher cost of energy storage. As a remedy, you can install extra solar panels or wind turbines to increase productivity.
Remember, combining these two systems will require special site conditions. Though solar is available everywhere, it is not the same with wind. When wind speeds are low and unfavorable, you may need to choose solar.
