Solar Photovoltaics -Diesel Hybrid System for an Off-Grid Resort with Desalination Loads

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 MOTIVATION

1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1.3 THESIS STRUCTURE

2. STATE OF THE ART OF A SOLAR-PV DIESEL HYBRID SYSTEM

3. OVERVIEW OF EGYPT'S ELECTRICITY SECTOR

3.1 INTRODUCTION

3.2 EGYPT'S ENERGY SECTOR

3.3 SOLAR ENERGY RESOURCES AND POTENTIAL IN EGYPT

3.4 RED SEA ENERGY SITUATION

4. SOLAR PV SYSTEM YIELD SIMULATION

4.1 SELECTED LOCATION, SITE DESCRIPTION AND SOLAR ENERGY POTENTIAL

4.2 CURRENT ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE OFF-GRID RESORT

4.3 ENERGY GENERATION FROM SOLAR PV AND YIELD SIMULATION

4.3.1 Location and weather data- input simulation parameters

4.3.2 Solar PV array characteristics- input simulation parameters

4.3.3 DC-AC inverter characteristics- input simulation parameters

4.3.4 input simulation parameters- Pre-determined losses

4.3.5 PVSYST analysis and yield forecast

5. LOAD PROFILE CONSTRUCTION

5.1 METHODOLOGY

5.2 ANNUAL LOAD PROFILES CONSTRUCTION

5.2.1 Construction of the annual hotel load profile without desalination load

5.2.2 Construction of the total annual load profile of the off-grid resort

6. DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT

6.1 Shifting the desalination operating hours to sunshine hours

7. ANNUAL SELF-CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS

7.1 METHODOLOGY

7.2 SELF-CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS FOR DIFFERENT LOAD PROFILE SCENARIOS

7.2.1 Scenario 1: Current load profile (current desalination schedule)

7.2.2 Scenario 2: New load profile (shifted desalination operation to sunshine hours)

7.3 COMPARISON OF THE RESULTS FOR THE SCENARIOS

7.4 CONCLUSION

8. ECONOMICAL ANALYSIS

8.1 METHODOLOGY

8.2 ECONOMICAL ANALYSIS FOR DIFFREENT SOLAR PV SYSTEM SIZES

8.2.1 Diesel price scenarios in egypt

8.2.2 PV-hybrid system CAPEX & OPEX

8.2.3 LCOE from PV calculation

8.2.4 Profitability measures results (Fuel cost savings, NPV, equity IRR, payback period)

8.2.5 Alternative financing options

8.3 COMPARISON OF RESULTS

8.4 CONCLUSION

9. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND CO2 EMISSION SAVINGS

10. CONCLUSION

Research Objectives and Core Themes

This thesis investigates the technical and economic feasibility of integrating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with existing diesel-powered micro-grids for off-grid tourist resorts in Egypt, specifically addressing the energy-intensive demand of water desalination plants by evaluating strategies to increase self-consumption and maximize fuel savings.

• Technical and economic optimization of hybrid PV-diesel systems.
• Load profile reconstruction and demand-side management techniques.
• Self-consumption analysis under variable load scheduling scenarios.
• Financial assessment including LCOE, NPV, IRR, and payback period analysis.
• Environmental impact evaluation regarding CO2 emission reduction.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION: Outlines the motivation for using hybrid power systems in remote regions and defines the specific research objectives for the resort case study.

CHAPTER 2: STATE OF THE ART OF A SOLAR-PV DIESEL HYBRID SYSTEM: Explains the fundamental components and operating principles of PV-diesel hybrid systems and their advantages for off-grid applications.

CHAPTER 3: OVERVIEW OF EGYPT'S ELECTRICITY SECTOR: Provides context on the national electricity structure, the potential for solar energy utilization, and the specific challenges of the Red Sea energy situation.

CHAPTER 4: SOLAR PV SYSTEM YIELD SIMULATION: Details the site characteristics and utilizes PVSYST software to model the expected performance and energy yield of the PV system.

CHAPTER 5: LOAD PROFILE CONSTRUCTION: Describes the methodology for collecting on-site data and reconstructing both hotel and desalination load profiles on an hourly basis.

CHAPTER 6: DEMAND-SIDE MANAGEMENT: Explores the technique of shifting energy-intensive desalination operations to daylight hours to maximize solar PV utilization.

CHAPTER 7: ANNUAL SELF-CONSUMPTION ANALYSIS: Evaluates how different PV system sizes and operational schedules impact self-consumption and solar share percentages.

CHAPTER 8: ECONOMICAL ANALYSIS: Conducts a comprehensive economic evaluation including LCOE, profitability measures, and various financing options to determine project viability.

CHAPTER 9: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND CO2 EMISSION SAVINGS: Calculates the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions achieved by transitioning from pure diesel generation to a hybrid system.

CHAPTER 10: CONCLUSION: Summarizes the findings and provides recommendations for implementing hybrid systems to achieve economic and environmental benefits.

Keywords

Hybrid, Solar PV-diesel, Optimization, Off-grid, Resort, Desalination, Egypt, Demand-side Management, LCOE, Self-consumption, Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Fuel Savings, CO2 Reduction, Micro-grid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research focuses on the technical and economic optimization of integrating solar PV systems into existing diesel-powered micro-grids at off-grid resorts, specifically aimed at powering desalination units more efficiently.

What are the primary thematic areas covered in the work?

The work covers system design, load profile reconstruction, demand-side management (load shifting), self-consumption analysis, financial modeling, and environmental impact assessments.

What is the main objective of this thesis?

The primary goal is to demonstrate that by shifting energy-intensive loads—specifically water desalination—to coincide with solar peak hours, a higher solar share and self-consumption rate can be achieved, leading to significant fuel and CO2 savings.

Which scientific methodology is employed?

The study employs a multi-step approach including on-site data collection, software simulation (PVSYST), load profile reconstruction, comparative self-consumption scenario analysis, and detailed financial analysis (LCOE, NPV, IRR).

What topics are addressed in the main chapters?

The main chapters cover the state-of-the-art of hybrid systems, the context of Egypt’s electricity sector, solar yield simulation, construction of load profiles, load management, self-consumption analysis, economic assessment, and environmental impact.

Which key terms best describe this work?

Key terms include Hybrid, Solar PV-diesel, Optimization, Off-grid, Desalination, Demand-side Management, LCOE, and Self-consumption.

How does load shifting affect the system design?

Load shifting allows for a larger, more efficient PV system installation, as the energy consumption is deliberately synchronized with solar availability, improving the return on investment and self-consumption rates.

What is the conclusion regarding the economic feasibility?

The research concludes that the hybridization of diesel systems with solar PV is highly profitable, with the project payback period significantly reduced through the use of low-cost debt financing and the replacement of diesel fuel.

What role does the Egyptian energy context play in the findings?

The Egyptian context, including rising diesel prices and national targets for renewable energy penetration, provides a strong economic and regulatory incentive for the transition to hybrid systems in remote regions.