Prof. Dr. Ali Abdul Razzaq Altahir 1
Imad Abdul-Rida Hameed 2
⦁ The University of Kerbala, Collage of Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department, Karbala, Iraq
2The University of Kerbala, College of Islamic Sciences, Karbala, Iraq
Investigating the sustainability of a photovoltaic (PV) system compared to diesel generators involves assessing various environmental, economic, and social factors. This type of study can provide valuable insights into the benefits and drawbacks of each energy generation method. Here’s a breakdown of key aspects to consider in your investigation. PV systems generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases during operation, reducing carbon footprint. Diesel generators emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and climate change. Recently, power exhaustion has been rising quickly in Iraq due to inhabitance evolution. Energy plays an essential part in the economy; henceforward, the connection between energy exhaustion and economic development is critical for future planning. Clean energy has been considered indispensable for modifying power system protection and stability. PV systems coupled with diesel generators can benefit areas with unreliable or limited grid access. There is a necessity for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. A solar PV system is the most environmentally friendly resource. In contrast to energy sources that rely on fossil fuels, which are characterized by high prices and ongoing depletion, the concentration of green energy sources has expanded over the past two decades. These factors, along with others, led industrialized nations to produce electricity for their everyday needs using renewable energy sources. Sun power is legal and available everywhere, and photovoltaic systems are commonly utilized to convert sun radiation to electricity. Contrary to energy sources, there are various techniques to research when creating a mixed system. This investigation will demonstrate the impact of PVG from an economic perspective as a test study in the Iraqi province of Karbala. Although photovoltaic systems have significant initial installation costs, they are an essential renewable resource that is widely employed in many applications, such as solar home systems, water pumping stations, spacecraft, satellites, and reverse osmosis water for service facilities. Diesel generators are replaced with photovoltaic generation at no additional expense. To learn about methods that might be competitive with established technologies, one might look at the levelized energy costs for conventional and photovoltaic generation strategies. A diesel generator costs between $3.76 and $4 per kWh, while the cost of solar power was constrained to between (0.66175 and 2.8485) $/kWh. The solar generator has the lowest levelized cost of energy, even in the winter (2.8485 $/kWh). By altering the atmospheric boundaries, the power-seeking regulator will change the boost converter’s cycle. However, when irradiance is changed, the firefly technique’s dynamic response is quick. In contrast to energy sources that rely on fossil fuels, the concentration of green energy sources has expanded over the past two decades. These factors, along with others, led industrialized nations to produce electricity for their everyday needs using renewable energy sources. Renewable energy has zero noise, no pollution, and low operating and maintenance costs. Numerous renewable energy sources have undergone modifications, including hydropower, tidal, wind, and solar. Contrary to energy sources, there are various techniques to research when creating a mixed system. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Through the application of appropriate power electronic connection circuits, different energy sources are grouped into AC buses. According to Fig. 1, two algorithms are frequently employed in power system generation: the first is renewable energy sources, while the second is conventional power production utilizing fossil fuels. They have quickly improved as a result of improved efficiency and lower capital costs in electricity generation. The fact that delivering electricity from fossil fuels in remote areas is difficult and expensive, while producing renewable energy can provide a competitive supply, makes renewable technology crucial [2]. A growing amount of attention is being drawn to the creation of energy and its depletion. When burned to create electricity, fossil fuels, also referred to as traditional power generation, release a number of harmful and deadly chemicals [4]. For any region of the nation, an exact peak demand estimate is unavailable.
Figure 1. Structure of a grid-connected PV system [13].
Even still, a lot of people think it will be between (25 – 30) GW in the summer of 2018, although the capacity of the central generator is only thought to be 15 MW, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 [6-7]. There were a number of environmental issues brought on by an excessive reliance on burning fossil fuels. That is the significant amount of oil needed to supply the rising demand for electricity. It ought to be delivering natural gas to keep the electricity flowing. A number of electrical plants must be built to produce (50–60) GW in the coming years due to population expansion, and oil-based power generation must be avoided. Without making this shift, Iraq will forfeit $ 520 billion in oil export earnings, and by 2035, the world’s oil consumption will rise by more than a million barrels per day [8]. As a result, a rational solution should be put forth. In 2018, this reform will allow the Iraqi economy to link with the economies of the region and Europe. The government should address the serious electrical situation. According to the integrated national energy strategy and renewable energies illumination of solar energy as indicated in Fig. 1[13], AL-BAYAN center for Strategic Studies and Planning should take into consideration feasible ways to reform this crucial sector to overcome the failures of previous years. The diesel generator’s compact form and high specific power make it ideal for supplying electricity to isolated places. However, the main disadvantage of employing a diesel generator is that the cost of operation is affected by seasonal load profiles [9–10]. Diesel generators, which are not cost-effective, can be used to quickly and consecutively build and configure PVG systems, primarily in rural areas [11]. The low beginning cost of a diesel generator is combined with the high initial cost of a PVG system in this so-called hybrid power system [12]. A hybrid system with storage batteries has a threefold lower life cycle cost than a distributed generating system with rechargeable batteries, claim the researchers [3]. A photovoltaic energy system with a wind generator and rechargeable battery storage was used. Some research took into account extensive economic analyses, which included technical traits and other components expressing externalities. The development of integrated renewable energy systems that incorporate wind, solar, and other renewable resources was suggested in a number of design scenarios. The size of the hybrid scheme must be optimized to improve the ratio between its cost and effectiveness. It is important to evaluate the load profile before system installation. To achieve the peak power, also known as superior power, of the photovoltaic system, it must function at a specific moment. The peak power from the PV system with current and voltage formed the maximum area using the current-voltage characteristic curve. The area beneath this curve changes as the radiation increases. At the same time, partial darkening causes a non-uniform pattern to appear when the radiation is not the same for all panel cells [14]. Solar arrays are made up of solar panels arranged in series, strings of solar panels arranged in series, and solar fields are made up of solar fields connected in parallel. The shadow of a nearby tree or building, as well as passing clouds, are the sources of the partial shade (non-uniform radiation). The PV system’s maximum power is represented by the curve’s single peak power at uniform radiation. There are multiple peak power spots on the curve while it is partially shaded. The highest peak symbolizes the total power, whereas the other peaks show the total power locally. The idea of photovoltaics is well understood, and currently. The time distribution of the electrical load frequently does not match the fluctuations in solar and wind power generation. Power systems then order the saving of the battery storage facility to reduce the time distribution divergence between the electrical load and solar/wind power generation and simplify the system’s cyclic conservation. Deep-cycle batteries that may be discharged at night are used to store the electricity generated by photovoltaic and wind turbines [15]. When generating electricity, determining the efficiency of solar systems is essential. By locating the best power, several techniques and algorithms boost the photovoltaic system’s output power. As a result, numerous researchers look for the optimal power in the majority of environmental circumstances [16]. Depending on the state of the solar resources and the resilience of the state grid, hybrid PV/Diesel generator systems are cost-effective. The current study will suggest an improved meta-heuristic approach based on the Firefly optimization algorithm for locating peak power in settings with partial shade for solar systems. The suggested approach is more effective, easier to apply, produces outcomes with a high degree of accuracy, and is less expensive. The suggested approach also provides reduced oscillation and rapid tracking speed. To power a large inductive load, this study contrasts diesel generators versus PV solar systems connected to storage batteries. The proposed evaluation is based on empirical formulas appropriate for the industrial markets and environmental conditions in Iraq. Over a 25-year lifespan, the cost of producing power with diesel generators has been calculated. Figure 2 and Table 1 make it clear that the levelised cost of energy for diesel generators is fixed, but it is variable for PV solar generators because of variations in solar irradiation. In most seasons, the levelized cost of energy for PV solar generators is lower than the levelised cost of energy for diesel generators.
The PVG system processed energy costs for electrical loads less expensively than the diesel generator, as shown in Figure 3. One kW from a PV solar generator costs less than one kW from a diesel generator, as can be seen. This indicates that manufacturing a PV solar system is more advantageous, profitable, and affordable than manufacturing a diesel generator.
Finally, it can be said that the investigation into the use of hybrid Diesel/PV generating systems for governmental load has been completed. A straightforward numerical optimization approach has been used to choose the best component size to feed the known load pattern at a certain site location while taking economic and cost considerations into account. According to a recent study, a PV solar system is the best option for reducing fuel expenses and lowering power bills. The initial cost of a PV system is more than a diesel generator. The levelized cost of energy could be reduced by the energy recovered from the PV solar system over a quarter-century. PV solar systems generate different amounts of electricity depending on the daily, monthly, or seasonal variations in irradiance. In all seasons of the year, PV solar generators have the best-levelized cost of electricity. To produce power in Iraq, the grid-connected PVG system is practical and affordable. This technology can be used to increase production. Naturally, developing nations have set high goals for sustainable energy to cut down on energy imports. Iraq has a lot of promise for sustainable energy, but the right technology and ethical human conduct must be used together.
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