CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

A micro-grid is a small power distribution system composed of a distributed power supply, an energy storage device, an energy conversion device, a load, a monitoring device and a protection device. The solar energy solution uses solar energy as a distributed power supply, energy storage batteries as energy storage devices and micro-grid inverters as energy conversion devices to ensure the power consumption of residents.

The electrification revolution, which began in the 1860’s, completely changed the way people live and promoted social development. But according to the World Bank’s State of Electricity Access Report there are 1.06 billion powerless people around the world. They still live in the dark and do not enjoy the benefits of electrification. 87% of them live in remote rural areas and islands far from power grids. Unfortunately, the cost to extend the power grid to them is too high. [2]

But with the development of photovoltaic (PV) and lithium-ion battery technologies, micro grids (PV + energy storage) can be used to achieve rapid electrification in remote areas. In developing countries such as Cameroon, micro-grid solar technology is also an important development direction for rural grid electrification.

Today there is much interest in micro grid due to the environment protection and energy sustainable development. B. Lasseter., first put forward a review of the micro grid example in 2001. Then CERTS (Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions) and European Commission Project Micro grids respectively proposed the concept of micro grid. Now the Concept of micro grid has been accepted in many organizations and laboratories. In a typical micro grid, the micro sources may be rotating generators or Distributed Energy Resources (DER) interfaced by power electronic inverters.

A micro grid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources within clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A micro grid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both grid-connected or island-mode.

Micro grids are electricity distribution systems containing loads and distributed energy resources, (such as distributed generators, storage devices, or controllable loads) that can be operated in a controlled, coordinated way either while connected to the main power network or while is landed.

1.2 Background of study

Microgrids have been a key topic over the past decade, and have triggered credible research interests and efforts toward advancing the energy knowledge, by addressing different kinds of challenges such as peak demand, power quality, increased carbon emissions, reliability, resiliency, islanding, variable energy generation, control, microgrid integration, bi-directional power flow [9,10] While efforts are continually being made by several developing countries toward increasing the energy access rate, there is a lack of considerations for the enabling planning factors, which is why microgrids fail in several off-grid communities. This prevailing challenge requires research efforts that consider new ways of thinking, better and effective strategies and framework that can help achieve sustainable microgrids in remote communities.

1.3 Problem Statement

Cameroon’s electricity development has been quite slow; the areas covered by electrification are only 28 percent of the country’s territory, and 80 percent of the power is concentrated in the capital of Yaoundé as well as the economic port, Douala. Unfortunately, only 56.8 percent of the population has access to electricity; the national population was just under 24 million (by 2016), which means more than 40 percent of the population lives without power. About 80 percent of the rural population still uses wood as their primary life energy.

According to the Cameroon national power development planning, the current investments into hydropower, thermal power stations, and national grid construction are quite extensive, yet development cannot meet the power demands for the vast number of country’s residents in the short term.

Cameroon urgently wants to realize “rural electrification” in order to: Improve the electricity access rate in rural areas, improve the living standards of its citizens, promote the development and utilization of local resources, and further drive the development of education, medical care, communications, manufacturing, and other industries.

1.4 Objective of study

The objective is to design a hybrid system consisting of solar pv system and off shore wind by describe the components, energy evaluation, price, connection, functioning principle, structure and type of micro grid used in order to enhance and improve electricity within the locality the system is been designed by studying the various factors that are taken in to consideration when implementing the design.

1.5 Scope of study

The Scope of study will be based on rural areas that have no means of access to electricity grid with case study being carried out at Limbe, Bota southwest region of Cameroon due to its lack of access to electric grid and resource being near the island and access to solar radiation

1.6 Definition of terms

Micro grid: Integrated energy infrastructure, based on distributed power-generation, form local mini-grids. Although normally autonomous, these can also connect to the main grid.