Stand-alone hybrid energy system for a remote fishing island

Abstract

A detailed study on present and future energy demand, resource availability and technology options were studied to propose an optimum system to cater for the basic energy requirements of a remote fishing island, ‘Battalangunduwa’ in the North-Western coast of Sri Lanka. The aim of this project is to supply basic energy requirements to the people living in the island. At first, energy related issues such as, limited electricity supply to the island for household use, low price for fish production due to non-availability of ice at a reasonable rate and drinking water issues as well as health issues were identified. Further, the electricity demand to provide basic energy requirements for the existing residents was calculated as 327 kWh/day. Then to supply the energy demand, utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar along with diesel m was developed by a modelling using a computer software (HOMER).The optimum option indicates that the share of annual energy generation from wind,solar and diesel generators are 85 %, 6 % and 9 % respectively without ice plants and 83 %, 0 % and 17 % respectively with ice plants. Economic evaluation was also carried out to find the viability of the system proposed and it is concluded that the project is technically feasible,environmental friendly, economically viable and also contributes to the socio economic development of the island community.