Yes, is very suitable for off grid. Mix renewable energy system is suitable for off grid, and strengthens sustainability, though, it depends greatly on the amount of renewable energies potentials available and the effective energy required.

Yes, is very suitable for off grid. Mix renewable energy system is suitable for off grid, and strengthens sustainability, though, it depends greatly on the amount of renewable energies potentials available and the effective energy required.

Hi Gerro,

besides the local renewable energy potential and the consumption you should also consider the time dependency of the energy production and consumption. Especially in very small island grids this is cruicial for a stable operation. You might want to consider accumulators (thermal and electric) to cut off peaks in the consumption and to reduce your installed power required.

Gerro,

consider computer system simulation to test your configuration with respect to grid stability and economics. It can help a lot to quantify things and reduces investment risks.

As Friedrich say, you might want to consider doing some micro-grid simulations (for example using the HOMER software)

http://www.homerenergy.com/software.html

Yes, renewable energy systems are sustainable from an environmental and social point of view if the energy systems have enough energy storage facilities. Further, it is depend on the local renewable energy potential, energy consumption and time dependency of the energy availability and consumption.

No, consider only the economical factors.

Dear Gerro J. Prinsloo ,

Although this study is not about co-generation, I would recommend to see this recent publication explaining how can be possible a 100% renewable matrix in Brazil, whith high participation of biomass, wind and solar power.

http://www.greenpeace.org/brasil/Global/brasil/image/2015/Dezembro/2016/Revolu%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Energ%C3%A9tica%202016.%20Greenpeace%20Brasil.pdf

Best regards,

Rafael

Dear Gero,

Your problem is very interesting and it will be a crucial energy issue for the close future. In my opinion, the energy potential of every location plays a significant role in the technologies that can be utilized. I think that the optimum combination will be the utilization of many renewable energy sources as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass.

From my point of view, solar energy is very important because it can be either be transformed into electrify or into useful heat. I have to suggest you to search about cogeneration-trigeneration systems for producing electricity, useful heat and cooling. The useful heat can be utilized for process, for DHW or for district heating.

In the literature, a very interesting configuration is the use of ORC systems with absorption heat pumps. These systems are able to produce many outputs and to perform with high exergetic efficiency. Moreover, they can be combined with biomass, something that is easier in agricultural areas, especially for the winter period. Below I give the link of an interesting system; I suggest seeing the system in figure 3.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890413000150

In any case, modifications can be made in order to adjust the outputs with the demand.

Best Regards,

Bellos Evangelos

Dear Professor,

A priori, the answer is yes. But obviously this will depend on, almost, three factors: meet demand, availability of renewable resources and the economic capacity to undertake the investment. Finally, once operational installation, your success will depend largely on the above factors and, too, acceptance by the population and the ability of it to maintain the renewable system.

Unlike grid-connected, where high penetration of renewables can be supported in transnational electricity interconnections systems, isolated systems require a knowledge of local needs in the short, medium and long term.

In the first case, connected systems, I would like to contribute our experience in the studio https://www.researchgate.net/publication/223075829_GIS_approach_to_the_definition_of_capacity_and_generation_ceilings_of_renewable_energy_technologies

In the second, commenting that at the moment we are developing a new biomass-solar project cogeneration in Cuba that advances in the direction of your question (https://www.researchgate.net/project/Cogeneracion-de-Energia-Electrica-y-Termica-mediante-un-sistema-hibrido-Biomasa-Solar-para-explotaciones-agropecuarias-en-la-Isla-de-Cuba).

Best regards.

https://www.researchgate.net/project/Cogeneracion-de-Energia-Electrica-y-Termica-mediante-un-sistema-hibrido-Biomasa-Solar-para-explotaciones-agropecuarias-en-la-Isla-de-Cuba

Article GIS approach to the definition of capacity and generation ce...

Technical Report Characterization of Hybrid Systems for Rural Electrification...

Yes, it is possible for isolated locations which is remotely located but have enough renewable energy source/sources available. For example solar energy, wind energy,small hydro plants which may or may not require storage. 

In my opinion, the most suitable and practical green technology that doesn't need electric grid infrastructure in the solar trough for cooking and for heating.

In my Green Energy Systems (GIS) course which I teach at Yale University, I always emphasize to my students the fact that there is no 100% green energy source. It is a matter of relativity to other energy sources. From a life cycle impact analysis (LCIA), all energy sources emit GHG during one or more of the phases of the life cycle. Hence, I prefer the term "low carbon" technologies as compared to 100% green energy source which is not an accurate characterization.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Professor Yehia Khalil

Yale University

USA

I don't understand the question, but here's a couple of areas, ripe for exploitation, in off-grid areas: 1. Axial wind machine with dramatically greater ratio of frontal area at stall, to free wheeling frontal area. 2. Vertical axis wind machine, based on "le Mouvement de Pascal".  3. Array of cross wind tractor kites, like those that power kite surfing, towing a cable like a ski lift.

I agree that 100%t renewable energy systems is suitable for off grid

Yes, agree that distributed renewables make great sense in places a major utility grid is not available or is unreliable.

Just make sure the system can be maintained by locals or is easily replaced. There are so many failed distributed renewable energy systems around the world that require simple fixes if only a qualified technician were available. 

Yes, it's posible, but is necesary this couple: Renewable Energy & Efficient Energetic.

Yes , I agree that 100% renewable resources can be used in an island mode,and reliable,resilient and sustainable power can be obtained by utilizing the same.

In my viewpoint hybrid of biogas system and solar PV can provide sustainable power with high reliability.  The feedstock for biogas generation can be  animal waste , food waste  or crop residue etc . can be utilized. 

I do agree with Andres, namely when you have grid, PV system is the best. in such system you do not need to have energy storage. Instead, the electric grid acts as a virtual storage system. Which in turn can reduce the net costs of PV systems. However, these systems required an inverter to convert the DC (direct current) voltage into AC voltage. In addition to reduce the initial cost of the system, grid connected PV systems have another advantage. Indeed, the electricity consumption of a building is not constant over the day and varies depending on the occupancy of the building and used equipment.

Hi Gerro,

There are a couple of examples from India that you may find to be of interest:

Cheers !

-Sanjay

Actually this is possible. A condensed renewable energy mix structure is suitable for off grid energy resource. It also balances the internal energy demand structure, boost sustainability and maintain the ecosystem. However, the availability and the level of utilization of  energy are strong indicators for effectiveness.

Thank you Fidelis

I like the way you describe the concept. 

Gerro

consider computer system simulation to test your configuration with respect to grid stability and economics. It can help a lot to quantify things and reduces investment risks. Tnaks

Please find our latest paper on this topic

Customer domain supply and load coordination: A case for smart villages and transactive control in rural off-grid microgrids

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544217311039

Gerro

https://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/100-re-sustainable-development/

http://www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com/renewable-energy/sustainable-development.html

Dear Colleagues

This may be interesting to the group also, just rekleased:

Synthesis of an off-grid solar thermal cogeneration and intelligent smartgrid control system for rural applications

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323604555_Synthesis_of_an_off-grid_solar_thermal_cogeneration_and_intelligent_smartgrid_control_system_for_rural_applications

Also on the Link: http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/103804

Gerro