Feasibility Study of Small Hydro/PV/Wind Hybrid System for off Grid Rural Electrification in Ethiopia
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopia is among the least developed countries on the globe with a total access to electricity
not exceeding 16% (in 2007). About 85% of the population lives in places where access to
electricity is less than 2%. One such a place, which is the subject of this study, is the Dejen
district (10013 24.03 N, 38007 58 E) having a total population of 107710 within 23 villages.
About 14 villages (corresponding to 63000 people) are found in the upper Blue Nile river
gorge and far remote areas, which makes the task of their electrification via grid system very
difficult. Kerosene for lighting, diesel for milling and pumping, biomass for cooking and dry
cells for radio are being used in the non-electrified villages. Nothing has been done so far in
developing the renewable energy resources, such as small-scale hydro, solar, and wind
energy in the district.
In this work, feasibility of small-scale hydro/PV/wind based hybrid electric supply system to
the district is studied using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electrical
Renewables) software as optimization and sensitivity analysis tool. Six sites (two on Taba
stream, one on Bechet stream, two on Muga stream and one on Suha stream) with smallscale
hydropower potentials have been identified. The hydro potentials are analyzed with the
help of GIS (Geographical Information System) and data obtained from the Ministry of
Water Resource of Ethiopia (former). Meteorological data from National Meteorological
Agency of Ethiopia and other sources, such as NASA, is used for the estimation of solar and
wind energy potentials. Electric load for the basic needs of the community, such as, for
lighting, radio, television, electric baker, water pumps and flour mills, is estimated. Primary
schools and health posts are also considered for the community. Since HOMER can’t handle
six hydro resources at a time, the total load is shared to each of the six sites and analysed
separately. As a result, many feasible hybrid system combinations are found having a cost of
energy less than $0.156/kWh which is much lower than diesel generators and previously
studied PV/Wind hybrid systems.
Key words:
Small Hydropower, Wind, Solar, Hybrid, HOMER, GIS, Catchment Area, Load Estimation
Description
Keywords
Small Hydropower, Wind, Solar, Hybrid, HOMER, GIS, Catchment Area, Load Estimation