Hybrid micro grid feasibility study for the Wawashang Complex in Nicaragua

The Wawashang Complex is an example of remote rural area that can benefit from an off-grid hybrid system. No power grid reaches the Complex, but is electrified by a number of photovoltaic modules, batteries and diesel/gasoline generators as backup. The load is due to increase and the present energy supply is neither reliable nor sustainable and confines education to daylight. This paper reports a feasibility study for a standalone photovoltaic/micro hydropower system for Wawashang, which exploits the tropical climate of the area. It includes an estimate of the hydropower potential, together with some technologies that could be adopted in rural areas. A new photovoltaic system for Wawashang has also been studied and simulated using PVsyst software. In the solar/micro-hydro scenario, diesel/gasoline generators can still be used, if operated efficiently. For this reason, variable speed diesel/gasoline generator sets with Permanent Magnet Generator and Doubly Fed Induction Generator are briefly discussed.