Performance Metrics and Objective
The above grid connection configuration and the energy mix portfolio are characterized by each tool through the performance metrics tabulated in the table below. The table also highlights the performance metric/s that are being minimized or maximized to arrive at the optimal energy mix. All of the tools have economic cost as an objective. However, […]
Geographical Coverage and Electrical Network Considerations
Although the grid connection is available for every tool, the grid model can be different because of the geographical coverage considered. These are listed in the table below. The basic consideration is that the microgrid or the energy system can import or export electricity from and to the grid. This assumes that the energy system […]
Energy Mix Portfolio
In terms of the energy technology options, the table below presents the energy sources and storage that each of the tools have. With these energy sources, Calliope, DERCAM and HOMER can include provision for thermal load. Furthermore, all of the tools have the option of grid connection. As discussed, this is an important feature because […]
Software Tools and Optimization
The methodologies above require a level of expertise in algorithms and programming to be able to directly apply to a rural electrification project. Because of this, there are software tools that take care of applying the algorithms out of the user input parameters. These tools can be characterized according to the optimization technique, energy mix […]
Energy Source Sizing
The methodologies and tools generally follow the flow and structure shown below. The tool outputs the optimal combination and sizes of energy technologies to be installed given a set of input parameters and constraints. To accomplish this, the tool creates a model or a mathematical representation of the energy access problem that is then solved […]
The Optimal Energy Mix
The combination of energy technologies with their respective installed capacities is called the energy mix. The capacity or size of the energy technology is defined in terms of kW or MW for generation technologies and kWh or MWh for storage technologies. The energy mix is illustrated below shows that electricity can be coming from multiple […]