Optimal Sizing Of Standalone Photovoltaic Direct Current Power Supply: (The Case Adama Science And Technology University-Ict Center Building)

Abstract

Renewable energy, with the availability of its renewability and minimum pollution will grow to be an effective and practical choice to guarantee the future development of the world. Low voltage direct current distribution system has been widely used in data centers, aerospace, automotive and marine. Now a day’s dc system gaining advantage over ac system in data centers due to increasing number of dc-based loads, advancement of power electronic convertors and wide spread use of renewable energy resources like solar and wind. Solar photovoltaic power generation system is one of the burning issues toward increasing the amount of power generation from renewable energy sources. This thesis work focuses to investigate the technical and economic analysis of optimal sizing of standalone photo voltaic direct current power supply. Different appliances in the building selected and assessment made on their energy consumption by considering voltage drop, power loss and efficiency by comparing AC and DC system. From the comparison DC system had minimum loss with a better efficiency. However, selection of standardized DC voltage level by referring Emerge Alliance standard that had been chosen 380V for the system. Finally, Homer software was used to size and simulate photovoltaic system required for the building. The result shows that PV system with optimal size of 120 KW and 12V, 400Ah battery on the technical and total net present cost $ 333,754, levelized cost of energy result $ 0.224/KWh and operating cost $ 9,208/yr. in economical result. DC system design improves the power shortage and reduced fluctuation of power and conversion stage. Therefore, Dc system had been best alternative to supply sustainable, reliable and environmentally friendly source from PV.