DESIGN OF AN OFF-GRID HYBRID ENERGY SYSTEM FOR RURAL AREA: A CASE STUDY OF AROGBO COMMUNITY IN ONDO STATE

Abstract

This research developed an off-grid hybrid energy system for a rural area: a case study of Arogbo community in Ese-odo, Ondo State, Nigeria. The total power rating for all the facilities/appliances collated was estimated to be 5273.147 kW (6591 kVA).Total electrical energy demands of Arogbo Community over a specified period of hours used per day with a power factor of 0.8 and 15% tolerance of maximum load equal to 6591 kVA was estimated to be 20263.906 kWh (25330 kVA). The total estimated power from solar for Arogbo community was computed to be 27356.273 kWh (34195.34 kVA). An off-grid hybrid (PV/Battery/Generator) energy system was designed for three bed-room (luxury), three bed-room(convenience) and room and parlour living apartments. It was also designed for small scale businesses of barbing and computer services. Their energy requirements were estimated to be 10.015 kWh, 3.216 kWh, 1.736 kWh, 0.938 kWh, and 9.045 kWh respectively. The total PV energy systems capacities were estimated to be 13.53 kWh (16.91 kVA), 4.342 kWh (5 kVA), 2.344 kWh (2.93 kVA), 1.266 kWh (1.58 kVA), and 12.211 kWh (15.26 kVA) with power factor of 0.8 respectively.The capacities of the PV solar components were designed for each of the considered apartments and small scale business shops. For the 3-bedroom flat (luxury), the PV solar components were designed with estimated values of 3.38 kW solar PV modules, with installation area of 31 m2, 6 kVA inverter system, 4 deep cycle batteries of 150 AH at 12 V rating and with a generator sizing of 6 kVA. For the 3-bedroom flat (convenience), the PV solar components were designed with estimated values of 1.086 kW solar PV modules, with installation area of 10 m2, 1 kVA inverter system, 2 batteries of 150 AH at 12 V rating and generator sizing of 1 kVA. For the room and parlour, the PV solar components were designed with estimated values of 0.59 kW solar modules, with installation area of 5.5 m2, 1 kVA inverter system, 2 batteries of 100 AH at 12 V rating and generator sizing of 1 kVA. For the barbing salon, the PV solar components were designed with estimated values of 0.317 kW solar modules, with installation area of 3 m2, 0.22 kVA inverter system, 1 battery of 100 AH at 24 V rating and generator sizing of 0.47 kVA, and, for the computer center, the PV solar components were designed with estimated values of 3.05 kW solar modules, with installation area of 28.3 m2, 4 kVA inverter system, 4 batteries of 150 AH at 12 V rating and generator sizing of 4 kVA.These designed hybrid systems are designed in a way that, during the day (sunning hours) the PV is used to power the loads and at zero sunshine or night the generator is used to power the loads. This designed methodology allows independent electrical energy to run through the facilities/appliances which would improve the power requirements of running businesses and equipment