Switching mechanism for Off-Grid Hybrid Power System (Photovoltaic-Wind) with storage battery

Abstract

This work describes a modelling and simulation of the switching mechanism of an off-grid hybrid power system. An offgrid system means that it is not connected to an electricity grid or network. An off-grid power system is important especially at catastrophe times and war where it is hard to get electricity from a utility grid. In addition to that, owners of residential and small-scale commercial structures which are located in remote areas will be able to have access to the electricity. The switching mechanism depends on the renewable energy amount. An off-grid hybrid power system utilizes an array of deepcycle batteries to store the power generated by the solar panels and a wind turbine. When the renewable sources have excess energy, it is stored in the battery. However, If the renewable sources do not supply enough energy to the loads, the switching mechanism will let the battery provide the load with the required energy. The simulation results in this work show the advantages of using the off-grid system to produce electricity or power from one or more source of renewable energy.