Fuel economy and GHG abatement potential by genset adaption to ambient conditions in isolated grids: A simulation study

Isolated power systems rely heavily on diesel generators (DGs), whose fuel efficiency and emissions are influenced by ambient environmental conditions. This study investigates the impact of incorporating temperature, pressure, and humidity into operational strategies to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over a one-year simulation of the Tahitian power grid, used as a test case for an isolated grid. A hybrid modeling approach combines thermodynamic engine behavior with system-level dispatch. Three scenarios are compared: one with standardized fuel consumption, one accounting for ambient effects, and one with optimized intake temperature control. While ambient conditions increase fuel consumption by around 1 % under Tahiti’s tropical climate, simulations using a colder climate (Saint Pierre) show fuel savings up to 2.3 % due to improved air density. Intake air optimization further improves efficiency by 1.1–1.3 %. These results highlight the potential of ambient-aware strategies to enhance generator performance and reduce emissions in isolated power systems, particularly in temperate or cold regions.