The Effect of PV Generation Capacity on GHG Emissions from Hybrid Systems for Powering a Fishpond Remote from the Distribution Network

The aim of this paper is to show what can be achieved by installing photovoltaic (PV) generation capacities in some hybrid systems from the aspects of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, electricity generation and heat production, as well as energy production costs. The Jablanica trout pond, located in Eastern Serbia, is taken as a case study. This paper considers various configurations of two hybrid systems consisting of combinations of a micro-hydro power plant (MHPP) and a PV generator with: (Case 1) a diesel generator, a converter and batteries, with electricity consumption of 24.79 kWh/day – existing system; and (Case 2) a combined heat and power (CHP) unit with one diesel generator, a converter, a thermal load regulator (TLC) and a boiler, with consumptions of electricity and heat amounting to 203.78 kWh/day and 118.21 kWh/day, respectively – proposed system. A comprehensive ecological analysis is conducted by means of the software HOMER Pro. Compared to the corresponding hybrid systems without PV generation capacities, the results showed that adding PV generators to the two hybrid systems can reduce GHG emissions and diesel fuel consumption by 60 % in Case 1 and by 42.6 % in Case 2. In addition, significant reductions in the total net present cost (NPC) and levelized cost of energy (COE) are achieved, and the generation of electricity and the production of heat are increased.