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Optimal design and performance analysis of solar power microsystem for mini-grid application

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Abstract

Universally, solar power microsystem for mini-grid is acceptable as a new approach to solve the global energy problem. Improving population lifestyle as well as the economy of a country will be difficult without Electricity. This study describes Design and installs Solar Power Microsystem to electrify Inbingan Village and Bawdigone/ChiYarPinSu/Zeephyjim/Payagone Village in Myanmar and to provide lighting and public electricity to a total of 560 families has been participating in the study. This study is conducted with International Cooperation and Development Fund (“TaiwanICDF”) based on the equest from Department of Rural Development (“DRD”) of Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. In this paper, Solar Power Microsystem of Mini-Grid Design and Planning, Main Solar Power Microsystem System Equipment and LED Lights Specification Requirements and development of a Financially Viable Operating Model and Suitable Financing Mechanisms for extending rural solar power microsystem for mini-grid systems are presented. Battery storage is used to adjust the operation strategies and bring in different economic benefits. HOMER software package developed by NREL is used for designing and simulating the general system of each village. This paper proposes and implements the electrification strategies for a variety of consumer load types in the two-selected area in the Myanmar. This research is to consider the electrification strategies based on: cost, efficiency, performance, equipment utilization factor, excess electricity produced etc. Based on the findings from the study; the systems improved the nighttime reading environment for schoolchildren, extended the time spend by villagers in home economic activities, and improved interpersonal relationships between villagers, the project saved money on purchasing candles or kerosene. In addition, the paper will provide insight into suitability of such strategies and act as a guideline for balancing cost optimization process and design robustness of such systems. It will also provide recommendations on future research along this line, which would include aspects that could not covered in this work.

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Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), Taiwan, R.O.C.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chih-Ta Tsai, Yirga Belay Muna, Cheng-Chien Kuo & Rainy Hsiung

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, Saint John’s University, New Taipei, Taiwan

    Hsueh-Yuan Lin

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  1. Chih-Ta Tsai
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  2. Yirga Belay Muna
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  3. Hsueh-Yuan Lin
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  4. Cheng-Chien Kuo
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  5. Rainy Hsiung
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Correspondence to Cheng-Chien Kuo.

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Tsai, CT., Muna, Y.B., Lin, HY. et al. Optimal design and performance analysis of solar power microsystem for mini-grid application. Microsyst Technol 27, 1267–1281 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-018-4213-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-018-4213-7

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