An investigation on the characteristics and performance of a PV-diesel hybrid energy system for teaching and research

This paper presents an investigation of the characteristics and performance of a photovoltaic (PV)-diesel hybrid energy system for teaching and research purposes. The system was developed at the Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies Australia (CRESTA) at Curtin University, Australia. It is intended that the system will be introduced to remote areas where the main electricity grids are not available. The system comprises of PV module of 1.2 kWp, a 5 kVA diesel generator, a 5 kVA bi-directional inverter and a 13 kWh battery bank. It also incorporates a weather station which measures the horizontal and tilt (32°) irradiation, ambient temperature and barometer pressure. Data from the site have been recorded continuously. The average global radiation is 5.17 kWh/day and the tilt radiation is 5.62 kWh/day. The performance ratio of the PV-array has been calculated approximately as 0.6. The average fuel efficiency of the motor generator is 1.67 kWh/ltr based on a predictive control strategy. The battery efficiency is 0.96 while and the overall system efficiency is found to be 0.64. The system runs in synchronism with a diesel generator and a predictive control strategy, which is based on the theoretical control principles for optimum supply side management.