A small-scale distributed polygeneration with local renewable resources for a remote place of India: techno-economic optimisation

Abstract

Electricity is predominantly supplied all over the world by large-scale fossil fuel-based power plants. Due to fast depleting fossil fuel reserves and climate change problem, this scenario is not sustainable. Large-scale renewable plants are not technologically matured yet to meet the worldwide electricity demand. Combining more utilities than only electricity in a single system, called polygeneration is an even better solution for distributed energy systems. Polygeneration is an integrated multioutput system with one or more inputs where many sub-systems are integrated to yield various outputs efficiently. Techno-economic optimisation using a quantum inspired cuckoo search algorithm has been reported in this paper for a polygeneration suitable for remote Sunderban delta area of India. Four utility outputs are combined to meet the basic demands of local poor people. Optimum sizes of different components are determined through techno-economic analysis for lowest levelised cost of electricity. Data of that area are used for analysis. This solution indicates practical feasibility of implementation of such systems for that remote area of India.

KEYWORDS:

• Polygeneration
• levelised cost of electricity
• quantum inspired cuckoo search
• optimisation
• reliability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.