Abstract:
There are high renewable potentials in Amhara region including Mecha woreda which is reliable throughout the year especially the solar irradiation. The Yinesa Lemirt kebele is one part of the Mecha woreda which has woyna dega climate conditions i.e. suitable for solar PV modules but far from 25km from the grid. In many remote areas in our country, access to electricity remains a significant challenge. The absence of grid connectivity and challenging geographical conditions and cost constraints often leaves communities without reliable power for long period.Because of this, off grid power generation is the best option to access electricity for that community for better livelihood and to enhance with daily economic activities for local people especially graduated and non-graduated youth people. The objective of the research is to conduct research using local renewable resources to access electricity for remote area villages and to enhance their economic activities. The research has expected to benefit around 210 households within the radius of 1.5km starting densely populated villages. The research has been conducted using different tools/software like mat lab for modeling and homer software for feasibility analysis of the micro grid system. The microgrid system consists of solar PV, back up battery, Inverters, Converters and controlling system including all required loads. The solar data is collected from the Bahir Dar meteorology station and NASA website. The load demand is collected accordingly the facts and rural community energy consumption profiles from different research and practical experiences with some interviews. The thesis design output for peak load demand 82kw, required solar PV 302kw, battery capacity 460Ah, and 6V with quantity 335 for using at least two days for selected critical loads like lighting system. The solar power generation system is controlled using built in MPPT tracker algorithm system. The optimization result of the simulation demonstrates that the top optimal hybrid system consists of solar PV, converter, and battery system control strategy. The initial investment cost of (PV, battery, and converter) for the best optimal hybrid system by running the software the simulation results which are lists $327,255.37 and the net present cost of the system is $668,276.24. These costs give a Levelized COE of $0.215 per kWh for Ayelech village. Based on the analysis solar PV-battery system is a feasible option as compared to grid extension system.
Keywords- Micro-grid, Solar Power, Converter, Inverter, Battery, Homer software, Mat lab