Economic feasibility of autonomous hybrid wind–diesel power systems for residential loads in hot regions: a step to mitigate the implications of fossil fuel depletion

Figures & data

Figure 1 Monthly average wind speed and monthly average daily load of 100 typical residential houses of Saudi Arabia.

Figure 2 Monthly average wind speed at different hub-heights.

Figure 3 Daily wind-speed data for one complete year (1997).

Figure 4 Cumulative frequency distribution of wind speed.

Table 1 Power–wind characteristics of 600 kW CWM.

Wind machine model	Rated power (kW) Rp	Rated speed (m/s) Vs	Cut-in speed (m/s) Vci	Cut-out speed (m/s) Vco	Rotor diameter (m)	Hub-height (m)
Nordex N43/600	600	13.0	3–4	25	43	40, 50, 60

Table 2 Technical data and study assumptions of diesel units.

Description	Data
Diesel generator units
Rated power of diesel unit 1 (D1, 500 kW)	500 kW
Minimum allowed power (min load ratio)	40% of rated power
No load fuel consumption	42 l/h
Full load fuel consumption	165 l/h
Rated power of diesel unit 2 (D2, 500 kW)	500 kW
Minimum allowed power (min load ratio)	40% of rated power
No load fuel consumption	42 l/h
Full load fuel consumption	165 l/h
Operation and maintenance cost of diesel units	3.01 US$/h
Overhaul period	43,800 h
Dispatch/operating strategy	Multiple diesel load following type
Spinning reserve
Additional online diesel capacity (to shield against increases in the load or decreases in the wind power output)	8% of the load

Figure 5 Power curve of commercial 600 kW wind machine.

Figure 6 Schematic of hybrid wind–diesel power system.

Figure 7 Daily average load (kW) data variations.

Figure 8 Technical and economic parameters of wind–diesel systems (at 40 m hub-height).

Figure 9 Technical and economic parameters of wind–diesel systems (at 50 m hub-height).

Figure 10 Technical and economic parameters of wind–diesel systems (at 60 m hub-height).

Figure 11 Power generated by a diesel and wind system (50 m hub-height).

Figure 12 Cost of diesel and wind power system (at 50 m hub-height).

Figure 13 Impact of wind penetration on diesel engine operation time.

Figure 14 Impact of wind penetration on diesel fuel consumption and carbon emissions (at 50 m hub-height).

Figure 15 Impact of wind penetration on COE and excess energy generated (at 50 m hub-height).

Figure 16 Sensitivity analysis results of hybrid wind–diesel power systems.