Performance Evaluation study of Hybrid Generation System (Microhydro + Diesel) in Iraqi Remote Rural Electrification_ENG

AbstractThis work highlights the benefits and advantages of using Micro Hydro Power Plants (MHPP) in electrification the rural areas, which they are remote from the electric grid and locate beside the river. In these areas Electrical Energy is generated, if any, by diesel generators. This work presents the Performance evaluation and feasibility study as well as environmental effect of adding a Micro Hydro electrical generation unit to two diesel generators used for electrification an Iraqi remote village. Homer software from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) USA is used to simulate the system to obtain the optimum hybrid power system configuration. The results of simulation show that the hybrid power system can reduce the cost of electric power unit (kilowatt / hour) as well as reducing the level of air pollution and noise compared to the stand alone diesel system.Index Terms: Hybrid Generation System, Micro-hydropower, HOMER, Renewable energies, Rural electrification, Environmental effects.