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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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Because <strong>of</strong> the intermittent nature <strong>of</strong> solar-based and wind-based supply<br />

technologies, it is important to consider the daily and seasonal variations in the<br />

electricity supplies received from this type <strong>of</strong> plant, and compare these to the<br />

pattern <strong>of</strong> demand required for a particular area. This allows decisions to be<br />

made about how well the demand can be met directly from the supply, and what<br />

size and type <strong>of</strong> intermittent sources, storage devices or reserve would be needed<br />

in order to ensure security <strong>of</strong> supply. There are a number <strong>of</strong> systems available<br />

which allow the evaluation <strong>of</strong> intermittent PV and wind energy supply systems,<br />

on an hourly or more frequent basis, through the temporal matching <strong>of</strong> required<br />

demands with potential supplies [2-11]. The use <strong>of</strong> storage devices, auxiliary<br />

engines or grid connection, are also variously considered, and most models<br />

allow the user to see what pattern-<strong>of</strong>-use would be required <strong>of</strong> these plant,<br />

allowing decisions to be made about suitable plant type and sizing. Unless<br />

stated otherwise, all <strong>of</strong> the programs described in this section use relevant<br />

climate data and available manufacturers’ information to help predict the output<br />

<strong>of</strong> the intermittent supply sources being considered. The required demand is<br />

then subtracted from this output, and auxiliary systems are employed as<br />

necessary or as specified at each timestep. This allows supply combinations and<br />

plant sizing to be analysed in various ways, depending on the emphasis <strong>of</strong> the<br />

model.<br />

3.2.1 Area Specific Analysis<br />

A program which uses demand and supply matching, F-Cast [2], has been<br />

developed to simulate the operation <strong>of</strong> an integrated system containing wind<br />

turbines, micro-hydro plants with pumped storage, biomass combustion, and<br />

back-up grid connection, for a particular area on the Greek island <strong>of</strong> Crete. This<br />

model allows the economic and technical assessment <strong>of</strong> proposed integrated<br />

systems, and several chosen system configurations are tested in order to find the<br />

best comparative solution. The output <strong>of</strong> this system is a cost analysis <strong>of</strong> the<br />

various possible schemes. Although this program was developed for a particular<br />

area and range <strong>of</strong> system designs, it could be adapted for use in other areas.<br />

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