An innovative planning approach to improve PV integration into remote electricity networks

Abstract

The deployment and integration of PV systems into conventional type standalone off-grid power supply (SOPS) systems in remote communities have a significant impact on the technical and non-technical aspects of their operations. This poses new challenges for system operators. Deployment of PV and battery systems into SOPS systems thus needs addressing both the technical and non-technical issues of economic, social and environmental factors. This research proposed an innovative planning approach to improve PV integration into diesel-PV-battery based SOPS systems. The study has identified the key technical and non-technical challenges to facilitate the integration of high levels of PV penetration into these systems. A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach is used to obtain the views from worldwide experts regarding the planning of diesel-PV-battery based SOPS systems. The results show that the economic criterion is the most important factor followed by technical, environmental and social factors. The outcomes are then applied to a remote Australian SOPS system which establishes a unique research methodology. It is also observed from the analysis that the integration of battery storage technology provides a better techno-economical solution to address the challenges. To eliminate the uncertainties of PV output variability, a short-term PV forecasting mechanism using sky imagery technology has been studied and applied. In doing so, a minute-based energy flow modelling tool is developed and applied to evaluate a SOPS system’s performance. The results show that PV forecasting application allows the system to integrate high levels of PV penetration. Overall, this research provides an insight into the off-grid remote community electrification planning issues. This systematic approach can help the system planners to determine more accurately how much extra PV capacity can be penetrated into remote electricity networks