Optimum design of autonomous PV-diesel-battery hybrid systems: case study at Tapajós-Arapiuns extractive reserve in Brazil

Hybrid energy systems are an attractive alternative for power generation, specially in isolated areas. By connecting diesel generator and battery system to solar-photovoltaic or wind-turbine based generators, several benefits are obtained: higher reliability, energy quality and less oscillations in energy delivery. In this work, a photovoltaic-diesel-battery hybrid system in Tapajós-Arapiuns extractive reserve in Brazil is studied. That hybrid system is formed by a photovoltaic generator, battery system, diesel generator and isolated loads that are variable throughout the year. For that purpose, HOMER software was employed, so load-following and cycle-charging dispatch strategies were analysed with hourly-based data for a typical year. Results showed that load-following dispatch strategy is the best option, leading to energy productions of about 85.6% from the photovoltaic generator and 14.4% from the diesel generator.