Photovoltaic / Diesel / Battery Hybrid Power Supply System

Abstract

Many rural areas of developing countries lack supply of electricity due to poor distribution of grid electricity and financial resources to aid grid extension. These countries usually have under capacity in electricity generation with the scarce electricity being allocated to the more important urban sector. The relatively low energy demand in rural areas does not compensate the cost of long-range transmission lines from the national grid. This justifies the use of more decentralised forms of power supply systems which need to be modular in nature and widespread in distribution so that they can be built anywhere near the locations of use. Such power supply systems should be able to provide uninterrupted power supply. Options for providing these include stand-alone renewables, diesel generator sets or a combination of these forms of energy in a hybrid system.