Modeling and simulation of microgrid system with photovoltaic and biogas co-fired power-generating sources for commercial application

The gradual transition from centralized to distributed energy generation (DeG) in the electricity value chain around the world is among the factors that drive the deployment of small-scale on-site hybrid energy systems (HeS). Such an energy system benefits from increased resilience due to the combined characteristics of the constituent energy sources compared to a single-source energy system that may have reliability issues due to seasonal fluctuations in renewable resources. This book chapter focuses on the modeling and simulation of HeS based on photovoltaic (PV) power and biogas co-fired power-generating sources to supply electrical loads in commercial buildings. The sizing methods for HeS components introduced in the book chapter are based on international standards, conventional mathematical equations, and those employed in commercially available microgrid (MG) simulation tools. Also, the chapter presents evaluations showcasing the fractions of the contributing energy resources within the HeS, and system performance analyses in terms of the PV yield (kWh/kW), energy losses (kWh/kW), cost of energy ($/kWh), life-cycle cost ($), the carbon emission rate (g CO 2 /kWh), and the CO 2 emissions saved by HeS compared to a typical fossil fuel-based generating system. The book chapter introduces a temperature-dependency analysis of the PV array’s open-circuit voltage ( V oc ), maximum power voltage ( V mpp ), maximum power, and conversion efficiency ( η ); a detailed sensitivity analysis will also reveal the effect of a change in the location’s temperature and solar irradiation on the proposed HeS. The chapter also considers two modes of integrating solar PV arrays with building structures: building-integrated PV (BIPV) and building-attached PV (BAPV) technologies. The chapter is expected to deepen knowledge of the application of PVs in HeS for local energy planning.