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Modelling and Environmental Assessment of a Stand-Alone Micro-Grid System in a Mountain Hut Using Renewables

Author

Listed:
  • Mitja Mori

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Manuel Gutiérrez

    (Fundación para el Desarrollo de las Nuevas Tecnologías del Hidrógeno en Aragón, Parque Tecnológico Walqa Ctra. N-330a, km. 566, 22197 Huesca, Spain)

  • Mihael Sekavčnik

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Boštjan Drobnič

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Mountain huts are stand-alone micro-grid systems that are not connected to a power grid. However, they impact the environment by generating electricity and through day-to-day operations. The installed generator needs to be flexible to cover fluctuations in the energy demand. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources presents a challenge when it comes to balancing electricity generation and consumption. This paper presents an integration-and-optimization process for renewable energy sources in a mountain hut’s electricity generation system combined with a lifecycle assessment. A custom computational model was developed, validated with experimental data and integrated into a TRNSYS model. Five different electricity generation topologies were modelled to find the best configuration that matches the dynamics and meets the cumulative electricity demand. A lifecycle assessment methodology was used to evaluate the environmental impacts of all the topologies for one typical operating year. The carbon footprint could be reduced by 34% in the case of the actually implemented system upgrade, and by up to 47% in the case of 100% renewable electricity generation. An investment cost analysis shows that improving the battery charging strategy has a minor effect on the payback time, but it can significantly reduce the environmental impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Mitja Mori & Manuel Gutiérrez & Mihael Sekavčnik & Boštjan Drobnič, 2021. "Modelling and Environmental Assessment of a Stand-Alone Micro-Grid System in a Mountain Hut Using Renewables," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2021:i:1:p:202-:d:713452
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zerrin Günkaya & Alp Özdemir & Aysun Özkan & Müfide Banar, 2016. "Environmental Performance of Electricity Generation Based on Resources: A Life Cycle Assessment Case Study in Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Smith, Cameron & Burrows, John & Scheier, Eric & Young, Amberli & Smith, Jessica & Young, Tiffany & Gheewala, Shabbir H., 2015. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of a Thai Island's diesel/PV/wind hybrid microgrid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 85-100.
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    1. Mónica Camas-Náfate & Alberto Coronado-Mendoza & Carlos Vargas-Salgado & Jesús Águila-León & David Alfonso-Solar, 2024. "Optimizing Lithium-Ion Battery Modeling: A Comparative Analysis of PSO and GWO Algorithms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-22, February.

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