I am working on the most adequate combination of sources of renewable energies for the needs of rural communities in the south of Chile. I am using variables of economic, energy efficiency and environmental performance of such combination of sources. Thanks!
Hello Alfredo,
Try this software from
https://analysis.nrel.gov/homer/ (from Homer),
it is a free student version.It is a Energy Modeling Software for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems. You can just download it from the site. I know a friend who modeled hybrid system with cost optimization using this software for his Master Thesis,his topic was exactly what you are doing now. Maybe this helps.
Regards,Divya.
For the situation you describe (assuming it's acceptable to treat each rural community's energy system separately for their particular needs), there are currently three software packages that could help, some of which have been mentioned in this thread:
1. RETScreen, http://www.retscreen.net/ Relies on MS Excel to do its calculations, so not quite free. Good amount of documentation. Low time-resolution, monthly averages, so don't expect a lot of precision (but all such software really should not be relied on for more than 2 significant figures anyway). Popular, available in Spanish.
2. HOMER, http://homerenergy.com/software.html Can do automated searches of parameter spaces for optimization purposes. There is a free version. High time-resolution (hourly). Some parameters difficult to edit. I'm not sure if the computational engine was validated fully against known data (my colleagues say it was not).
3. Hybrid2, http://www.ceere.org/rerl/projects/software/hybrid2/ High time-resolution (hourly), free package, but old and not actively maintained. Detailed calculation models, and explained via a large amount of documentation. Calculations have been validated against known results. Optimization and parameter-space searches would be done manually.
If you don't need high time-resolution, I'd recommend RETScreen, as the lesser of all evils.
Finally, it's worth mentioning the review paper of Connolly et. al. that summarizes such tools: A review of computer tools for analysing the integration of renewable energy into various energy systems. Applied Energy 2010;87(4):1059-1082. You can see Prof. Connolly's pertinent webpage at http://www.dconnolly.net/research/planning/tools/index.html
What is the optimisation goal. Best combination to do what? What is the performance criteria? Cost/tonne of emissions saved? Savings-investment ratio....this questions must be answered to decide on the optimisation approach to adopt.
Getting an optimisation technique that will give you the best combination of renewable energy options for a rural community is not trivial. If you are using a building or buildings as case study, the use of energy systems software like IES, EnergyPlus will assist in evaluating the emissions saving potential for each options. However, challenges such as interaction and overlap between each options can not be handled by those softwares. /*Interactions relates to situations where the carbon savings from an option are reduced because another measure has been installed previously. For example, savings from more efficient boilers might be lower if the building insulation is improved first.
Overlaps concern measures that can’t be implemented because another (more cost-effective measure) has already been adopted. For example, if a gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) system has been installed then it might not be cost-effective to introduce solar water heating subsequently.
*/
A multi-objective optimisation technique seems to be the viable approach to tackle this.
please try HOMER from renewable energy optimization package as discussed above.
Thank you so much to all for the precious information, special thanks to Kai Wu, Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed and Roland Magiera for their time. Yes, I do know that as more number and wider variables I take, as less "realistic" will be my results. I have been on Complexity theory, so Ive´ got the clue of the imposibility of modelling a real human-environmental system. Nevertheless, for me this is the big challenge of current environmental sciences: to deal with a qualitative reality and search for (unfortunatelly) less accuarate but more useful results to tackle our current problems. I think theese models are just tools to know more about environmental interactions and to help dessition making. Best to all, Alfredo
yaaa you can use HOMER software... it can show you on engineering side and economic side... efficiency system too based area.
Dear Roland,
Funny that you mentioned Germany. This is part of my PhD research in Göttingen University !. Nevertheless, the reality in Chile is so different (not just culturally, but economically and environmentally), that the German model need to be tested against local reality. So to try alternatives and to see how the whole system behaves it is necesary a systemic model. At least is is the methodoogy I know.
Regarding to validate results, it is a good question. Let´s say that in a climate global model one do not expect local accuracy. In may case, I will have to decide in wich part of the trade-off accuracy-number of variables I should work. It is still open (first I need to know the tool-model to work with). Saludos!
Thank you Anastasia!
Homer is rising in votes =) I´ll check out. Regards, Alfredo
I am also working on a similar project with data from Malawi. I've tried to work with LEAP and HOMER. These two seem to be well suited to developing countries where energy modelling is slightly a new area.
Hello Alfredo,
with regard to your question I think you want to figure out the best power generation dispatch of several power plants including renewables connected to a certain net topology. However what to you mean with "best combination"? What is your precise maxim? Do you mean cost minimizing?
At the Berlin Institute of Technology (Technische Universität Berlin) we use GAMS (General Algebraic Modeling System) to model questions like theseones. This programme allows you to create a model very costomized to your specific problem and the programme's language is not that hard to learn.
You can include restrictions of market mechanismis, transmission, etc. Maybe you have some more information what your are heading for?
cheers
Andreas
Dear Adamson and Adreas,
Thanks very much for the answers.
The big trouble (in environmental sciences) is how to evaluate (cuantificate) qualitative values (like social and environmental impacts). Therefore, more important that aqurate cuantitative parameters, what I search is a model with a structure for relate and trade-off also qualitative parameters. For example, I might choose a cheeper bioenergy technology but with less energetic efficiency (and therefore, bigger environmental impacts). So a holistic question is what is the best solution (best overall of economic, energetic, environmental and social performances). I DO know that it is a complex question, but we DO need scientific tools in this direction, as reality is integrated, with quantities and qualities interacting with each other. My model then will have to be theoretical and simplified. Any idea-opinion is welcomed. Saludos!
If you are looking at rural areas then you might mean that they are not connected to the national transmission net. In this case you don't face any constraints related to transmission.
Looking at the supply of a specific community, it would be possible to calculate the cost minimizing dispatch with GAMS with regard to, for example, solar radiation over a day for PV or wind etc.
In case these communities are very small, it might be better to neglect any market mechanisms.
With the other aspects that you mentioned, I don't have any experience; neither with the other programmes that were mentioned.
But as long as you can express your problem in mathematical equations on paper, then one might try to model it in GAMS. The advantage would be, that you exactly know how the data is processed, which helps later to interpret accurately the model's results. This might be way harder using a black box programme that is just fed with some data.
I saw the actual thread was already a few months old, so I hope you could make already some progress.
sincerly
Andreas
Andreas, you have just grasp my restrictions and focus. And you are CERTAINLY RIGHT: a black box model might complicate any analisys of results. I am still in the construction of the model, so have not decide the software yet. Best regards!
So if you are still at the model construction stage maybe you could try Modelica. It is a non-proprietary object-oriented language. It is really useful if you are aiming to analyze systems with different energy sources and different approaches of analyses (environmental, economical). You can construct models (as blocks) and simulate different configurations. The language itself is also not much complicated and it has the great advantage of being non-propietary.
Regards!
https://modelica.org/
So if you are still at the model construction stage maybe you could try Modelica. It is a non-proprietary object-oriented language. It is really useful if you are aiming to analyze systems with different energy sources and different approaches of analyses (environmental, economical). You can construct models (as blocks) and simulate different configurations. The language itself is also not much complicated and it has the great advantage of being non-propietary.
Regards!
https://modelica.org/
Hey Thaigo, thanks! Modelica looks good, maybe too complex for me (good to design a BMW car). Super good that it is free. I will look aroud it. Yours sincerly, Alfredo
Hi Alfredo,
What about MATLAB/Simulink software package? It's very easy to use it. You can find out existing models into the library, such as Wind Turbine, PV panels, Battery, EV model etc. Also you can build your own library. Is not a very cheap software but you can download it from the internet for free.Regards, Lucian.
Thank you Lucian, I have take a look, It´s very speciliced, for technical optimization but without qualitative-environmental parameters, which I need. Nevertheless it seems to be a very complet software. Saludos!!
Hello Alfredo,
Try this software from
https://analysis.nrel.gov/homer/ (from Homer),
it is a free student version.It is a Energy Modeling Software for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems. You can just download it from the site. I know a friend who modeled hybrid system with cost optimization using this software for his Master Thesis,his topic was exactly what you are doing now. Maybe this helps.
Regards,Divya.
Hi Divya, yes, Homer has most fans, but mine is not an electric system modeling. I include other also qualitative parameters to the system. Thank you very much in deed!! Greatings
i suggest you to work on HOMER which is an optimization software for renewable energies.
I am using
MATLAB/SIMULINK with Built Generic Dynamic Models.
PSCAD/EMTDC can also be used!!
Well, dear Markus and A.M., as you can see in what has been posted, there are some softwares more popular than others. Mat lab was mentioned. I´ll take a look on DER-CAM. Great to have your answers!. All the best, Alfredo
Hi Alfredo, I really do not search this topic, however any software you choose must take in account the balance between the ability of several sources be combined avoiding energy loss (answer how to get the energy stored optimally ) and allowing to get the energy flow as constant as possible (avoiding high gradients in supplying). So, before choosing the software, look at the characteristics you want to be combined for a specific purpose. Regards.
Good Point Claudia. That is whz it is important to choose a model that shares the clasical stock&flow structure (dynamical systems). Thanks in deed. Kind regards
there is a software HOMER by NREL, USA, which gives a hybrid combination of renewable energy sources based on economics. it also gives the environmental impact.
A good approach is to use Retscreen (www.retscreen.com). It's free, but needs few experience. Some case studies are shown there. It is also a multi language system.
Anybody knows about the plecs tool box of electrical circuits of power electronics of matlab/simulink...i wanted a free version for so long but can not find it any body help me in this regard...waiting for your precious replies
Dear Humayun,
Unfortunatelly I am not aware of a free version. I will put an eye on it.
Best luck,
Alfredo
Thank you so much sir...if you find anything please sir let me know i would be very greatful to you because i searched alot to find the free license file but could not find it.
HOMER is very good for such microgrids. I used it with MATLAB/SIMULINK in my study
HOMER Energy software is the good option for modelling renewable energy systems
Homer is about to bring out a new version for simple screening for beginners. It's beta stage so far - so not openly available. Stay tuned for the release, though.
Alfredo,
First develop a good understanding of what 'most adequate combination' is. This is a multidimensional analysis that will probably need to examine price, cost, dispatch, environmental consequences, etc. Second, try to get an understanding of the objective function - is it cost minimization, emissions minimization, energy security, etc. or a combination from the stakeholders. Lacking an objective function can be very frustrating, you never know where your work is completed. Third, a very nice methodology for the messy problems like yours is system dynamics. There are two free tools at www.powersim.com (Studio Express) and www.vensim.com (Vensim PLE) that implement the methodology. There has been a lot of work in your problem domain using system dynamics. Please go to www.systemdynamics.org and look for Past Conferences to search for papers on the topic. Work in renewable energy portfolios has been done with system dynamics since the 1970s. Best of luck.
The only approach is bsed on an Optimization and Search options using different objective /Hybrid Aggregated Objective Functions of Initial COST, Running Cost, Cost of Losses saved due to DG(s) Installations, Environmental Carbon Print Cost Savings, Cost of Disel/.. other Fuel Savings, ....
The use of PSO/GA/HARMONY SEARCH/ANT SEARCH/... other Random Search methods can get best Scenarios based on defined COST-Functional and Pareto Surfaces.
Many Near Optimal solutions can exist!!
Homer- RETCREEN -MATLAB-SIMULINK-... Other tools can be used later to access dynamic performance!
Please find attached a paper on the subject. I think that it found its way to a software application, but I'm not sure. I'll look for that.
Merry XMas to you all, by the way.
Modelling a set of different renewable energies in order to get the best combinational practical methodology based on aviablibility or power quality in a MONTH is follows:
1 Take sun as the reference energy model
2 Compare solar based equations with other types energies avaiablity at that location
2.Model the power flow studies
3.Storing possibilities
4.Cost benifits
Regards,
Dr Dharmasa
00968-95231621
Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impact;
MESSAGE - Model for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impact;
Dear My Friends,
Introduce any sofware with details such as:
Manufacture/Developer name authontification with website
Ver.
Cost: per user or no of user
Educational Free part:
Advanced part:
Scope of the Software:
If any other details in brief.
This will help both academics as well as industrialist.
Regards,
Dr Dharmasa
I have recently addressed this problem within the SEAP (Sustainable Energy Action Plan) for the city of Salerno, Italy. The methodology is based on Linear Programming approach. A first paper on that subject has been recently published at ECOS Conference in Perugia and is attached.
Regards,
Gianfranco Rizzo
University of Salerno
Italy
I done my Bachelor Thesis by HOMER Energy, Its a best software for hybrid systems. I am familiar with TRNSYS and RETScreen too but at the end, I prefer HOMER for hybrid systems for producing electricity. If you want to model the HVAC systems besides the electricity production systems, you must combine TRNSYS and HOMER.
Thank you Hamid for your information.
I take advantage here and I tell to everybody in this question that finally I decide to decline my preference for electric networks softwares, as they are not usefull for include other non-electric variables, some of them cualitative, as social - cultural or environmental impacts associated with the energy sources I am analysing.
Therefore, i have chosen to work with a Multicriterial Desition Analysis software (MCDA, that allows as much diverse variables to work with as you want. The specific MCDA I am using is PROMETHEE, that is currently used for environmental impact assestment or for big projects design (where there are many variables to work with).
I might come back to complex network modelling if I can reduce the number of uncertain variables through the use of the MCDA.
Nevertheless, the answers of everybody here give to all of us a great updated list of sofwares on the issue, that has been good help.
Best regards (and happy new year)!
Alfredo
Dear Leonard Malczynski, A.M. Sharaf, Javier Alonso, Dr Dharmasa Hemadrasa, Ahmed Elsafty, Ahmed Elsafty, Samane Fakourian, Dr Dharmasa Hemadrasa, Karthikeyan N, Gianfranco Rizzo:
I have just realized that you answered my question (you are the last answers). I did not noticed it, as I did not received an email and did not reviewed this web page: Please appologise!: I will read it all and let you know any new. thanks for the kind answering. I hope you can also use the whole information here given.
Best regards!
Alfredo
I propose that you use Retscreesn, http://www.retscreen.net/
I propose you to use a HOMER software. It is very simple for use, free and give's a good solutions. I'm using it in lectures!!
Both TRNSYS and T*SOL are dynamic tools that may help you. In addition, (the later) you can also estimate economic aspects, but from the energy point of view I rather prefer trnsys.
good luck !
Based on my experience, HOMER Energy is most suitable for viability analysis of Hybrid Energy source implementation.
Check this paper: A hybrid model for the optimum integration of renewable technologies in power generation systems, Andreas Poullikkas, George Kourtis, Ioannis Hadjipaschalis, Energy Policy. 39(2):926-935.
Hi Alfredo, HOMER is one of the best software...However, we can do modeling with any of the programming languages (e.g. MATLAB)..As far as, other softwares are concerned, you can check the journal article in Applied Energy vol. 87, pg 1059-82, 2010
I used TRNSYS a lot, because you have a lot of possibilities to combine several parts, but it is a commercial software.
I used HOMER but the results are not promising. for the cost optimization the best i can suggest is following the optimization techniques and do it by your own calculation.. i not saying that HOMER or any other software are useless but its better for you to see the data so you will be sure that you have considered every thing
Dearhesamaldin, I kind of agree with you. Softwares are precise when you use them in the way there were thought to, which many times is not possible.
Software is, at the least, a simulation, a simplification of a complex reality . I've wondered if using simulation programs like Taylor II could give better results, but the programming can be somehow complex.
I think MATLAB can be helpful here too. Just get all the factors and the desired qualities i.e dependent and independent variables and put the in a non linear function e.g. response surface tool, nonlinear tool etc and proceed to assess the variation in the desired parameter (environmental or economic) with change in factors. I like the interactive surface contour plot (surfht) you just move the cursor around and you visualize the results. Good luck.
Thank you Nicolus,
I tend to think that MATLAB demand a big set of skills, as it is a sofisticated software, which might require a lot of time and inputs. Nevertheless, I will review it again to see your sugestion. All the best,
Alfredo
Try to use TRNSYS (http://sel.me.wisc.edu/trnsys/index.html) that could be useful to simulate a combination of different renevable energy sources.
Dear Mr. Alfredo ,
I have been working on a similar problem and from experience I know how hard it can be to get rooted to one of these options. But personally , I would vote for Matlab/SImulink especially if your problem is well defined i.e. if you know what kind of renewable energies you want to use in your simulation , on what basis you want to make a comparison of efficiencies . Again from your previous post , I see that you are worried about the time and detail that go into it . I completely understand that , but again its a trade off you have to make because , the accuracy provided and flexibility in modification of models available in Matlab/Simulink is not something available to you in all the other environments ...
To make your job simple , I would also suggest the setting up of a basis for making the comparison in economic terms . I don;t know if this would help you or if you already know this , but another advantage that Matlab/Simulink has is it offers an extensive help . Check out for some help videos online or trying calling the tech support for more information and they respond reasonably quickly .
Best Regards
Uday
you can use RETScreen, or even LEAP softwares. depends on you. their all downloadable and you can download them free of charge from hte web.
Dear Mr. Alfredo ,
I advise you to use Matlab Simulink because you can manipulate many variables simultaneously (power, cost, ect..). Besides, it allows you to get a closer behavior for your system components.
Good luck.
Thanks to all for the advice.
Uday, as I have mentioned, I do NOT know what kind of renewable energies to use, that is the question of the research: which one suits better. Therefore, qualitative parameters (environmental impacts, social convinience, cultural afinitiy, etc) must also be included, which limitates an acurate quantitative analisis as given by such models as Matlab.
Best regards,
Alfredo
HI alfredo
let me give you some tips
as you mentioned matlab alone is not cable of the factors which you are looking at indeed you may have to collect the data from the local investigation department or local data provider which they keep the environmental aspects and other aspects too
and the main thing is the all the power generation and load flow analysis you can carry out using pscad or mpower software which are available
thanks
arun
Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods such as AHP, or TOPSIS let you arrange the available alternatives by considering some non equal valued criteria. You can also enhance the accuracy of the methods by Fuzzy logic.
dear Alferedo, I'm agree with M.B.Lak, you may use AHP beside RETScreen, or LEAP. AHP help you to manage the energy sources priorities.
AHP and ELECTRE are Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods that can be used for finding the best alternative solution.
Hi there. I mean that the genetic algorithms can be also successfully applied for this problem. Did anyone already try this?
Thanks to the many. As I mentioned before, I DO am using mlticriterial desition analisys (MCDA), with the software Promethee, as it was used by the IZNE (Interdiciplinary Center of Sustainable Development, University of Göttingen, Germany) in the design of the first energy-autonomous village in Germany.
Quantitative methods will be usefull once I analize the broad topics so that to dimension and tunning the specific technologies. I am still not sure if that will be possible at all. Best regards
Dear Yaser Sahebi, Can you please tell me more detail about AHP and LEAP Software and how can I get these software
i found the LEAP software is good to get the datas which we all are discussing and and its free for students with one year license from the company itself
i personally feel its nice tool which helps us a lot
please find the below link to download the leap software
http://www.energycommunity.org/default.asp?action=44
I've adapted Pitcher's RAPFish method for evaluating fisheries as a means of comparing alternative renewable energy plans. This example was horribly watered-down, but you can get a sense for how the method was applied by going to the HT Harvey website (http://www.harveyecology.com/) and clicking on the 'downloadable documents' link near the bottom of the initial page. I think it has real promise for this kind of application; of course the devil is in the details. Contact me if you're interested and have questions.
you may use different methods, eg you may use Hommer, or RETScreen. but the method I used in my Phd Thesis, was a combination of questionnaire forms to evaluate the actual energy demand in rural sector and then the use of AHP. I think this is a good way, as you can compare the actual need and the theoritical demands for energy and ... .
it depends on what you have in hand.
The established Software are
NREL- Homer USA and REtScreen from Canada.
Other tools can include Matlab with optimization Random Search
Based on PSO and GA techniques.
The objective function or Performance Index is
Cost of the hybrid RE project subject to Constraints.
Constraints can include Storage and Back Up Energy
From Batteries , Fuel Cell, Micro Gas Generation
,....
Other tools can use Discrete and Continuous
Matlab Optimization Toolbox - Optim for full flexibility.
Commercial Power System Analysis Software may have
Add on Modules for integrated Smart Grid - RE.
May include :
PES Cad from Manitoba hVdc research Centre.
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