Daly, Mark Thomas (2017) Sustainability of Microgrids for Island Communities: Rural Electrification Strategies for Fraser Island. [USQ Project]
Abstract
A stable energy supply improves the quality of life of a community. While the mainland has access to the main utility grid, island communities struggle to access a sustainable electricity supply. A solution is to implement a microgrid system where energy is generated and controlled locally for a community and allows easier integration of renewable generation to existing generation. This dissertation details the design and modelling of a microgrid system for Fraser Island, Queensland, where there is a heavy reliance on diesel generation which is costly to run. Microgrid components were selected based on Fraser Island’s environment and the available renewable generation. The modelling was done using HOMER Pro software to demonstrate how microgrids can produce a sustainable energy system while being an economical viable option.
The result of the modelling shows that adding renewable generation and battery storage to the existing infrastructure on Fraser Island improves the electrical sustainability and provides economic improvements by reducing diesel consumption, operating costs and the maintenance required. The most optimal islanded microgrid configuration for Fraser Island consists of a hybrid system of diesel generation, solar PV generation and battery storage. Microgrids with renewable generation only are electrically sustainable but under current market conditions are too expensive to be implemented.
Multiple batteries types were modelled to examine their effect on the microgrid design. The most viable option currently is the sealed AGM lead-acid battery as are cost effective and more environmentally friendly. Some communities on Fraser Island have a grid connection to the mainland utility grid and the modelling was done to account for this. The most optimal grid connected microgrid configuration for Fraser Island consists of diesel generation, solar PV generation and a utility grid connection.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Electrical and Electronic) |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Helwig, Andreas |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Sep 2021 05:39 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Sep 2021 05:39 |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/40785 |
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