Integration of Very Small Module Reactor (vSMR) and Renewable Energy Resources in Microgrid Setup for Off-Grid Communities /

Abstract

The hybrid microgrids incorporating local energy resources are a technically viable option where access to the national grid is limited or unavailable. Sustainable energy supplies are required for the resilient functioning of small-scale off-grid energy systems as a solution to an energy crisis. The intermittent nature of renewables emphasizes fossilfired-based diesel generators, which are essential components for off-grid systems, further

contributing to the carbon footprint. The hybrid microgrids (MGs) concept can be realized

for off-grid communities with the integration of various resources as an effective solution.

In this paper, the research focus aims at designing and economic analysis of an MG for

the

off-grid communities of Nawabshah, Pakistan whose total annual generation is 8,551,254 kWh and load is 7,841,428 kWh. The main resources considered for integration in the purposed MG incorporate very Small Module Reactors (vSMR), renewable energy sources (RESs) like solar and wind, and battery energy storage system BESS. The test system is modeled in MATLAB/ Simulink and simulations are implemented across eight cases and various scenarios considering the seasonal variation across the four seasons and intermittency of PV, wind, and battery energy storage system (BESS). For composite analysis, the performance of different schemes based on vSMR, wind, PV, and BESS simulation is carried out and evaluated across 24 points for each season. The simulation results indicate that the BESS capacity required is 900kWh to meet the load demand. Furthermore, BESS is used to store surplus energy and supply power to the load when load demands are not met by RES resources. The results show that cases 0-2, 6 which incorporate vSMR and PV or the wind do not meet the load demand. Likewise, cases 3-5 where vSMR and PV or Wind with BESS also do not meet the load demand. Case 7 is techno-economic viable with vSMR, PV, wind, and BESS to meet load demand, supported by a high internal rate of return (~31%) and less payback period (~4 years), in comparison with other cases.