Optimization of a Hybrid, Small, Decentralized Power Plant
Open Access
- Author:
- Ranjeva, Minna Laure
- Area of Honors:
- Engineering Science
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Dr. Anil Kamalakant Kulkarni, Thesis Supervisor
Christine Masters, Thesis Honors Advisor
Dr. Anil Kamalakant Kulkarni, Thesis Supervisor
Judith A Todd Copley, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- wind power
renewable energy
solar power
biomass - Abstract:
- The worldwide dependence on fossil fuels and the harmful environmental consequences of this dependence have several scientists, engineers, and concerned citizens around the world interested in alternative sustainable energy systems. Additionally, in rural and developing areas, many people do not have access to electricity. One solution is the hybrid decentralized small power plant, which uses renewable resources such as wind, solar radiation, and biomass inherently available in a specific geographic area to produce electricity not dependent on the presence of a power grid. The focus of this research is to create a tool that will take into account geographic information (such as wind speed magnitude and probability, solar radiation, biomass types and availability, and weather patterns) for a specified area and determine what portion of an initial investment should be delegated to each type of energy (biomass, wind or solar). The overall power output for the average day as a function of time will be made available, as well as the contributions of each biomass, wind, and solar portion. This tool will help investors by recommending systems that will provide a reliable, optimized power output for a specified location.