Dimensionamento ótimo de sistemas híbridos, com geração fotovoltaica e célula a combustível, para atendimento a comunidades isoladas na Amazônia / Optimal design of a hybrid photovoltaic and fuel cell power generation system, to supply isolated communities in the Brazilian Amazon.

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2010

RESUMO

The lack of electricity in isolated communities in the Brazilian Amazon has become one of the greatest barriers for the development of the region. Currently, the main technologies that provide electricity to these communities are diesel generators, batteries and dry cells. These non-renewable energy sources may pose serious problems to the environment and human health and have high maintenance and operational costs. Therefore, the search for renewable energy sources, such as water and sunlight, which are highly abundant in the region, has become a great challenge. This thesis presents the studies on application of solar photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell (FC) technologies to supply electric power in an uninterrupted manner. Outlined are the technical and cost issues of a pilot project set up in an environmentally protected area, next to Bananal island, located in the Southwestern region of the state of Tocantins. The pilot project relies on PV solar power as the primary source of energy for the production of electricity. The surplus energy is stored in the form of hydrogen produced by electrolysis of the water supplied locally, which is reconverted into electric power by fuel cells during periods when there is little or no sunlight. In this context, the aim of the study was to propose a sizing of a hybrid distributed generation system (HDGS), comprised of a PV system, FC and batteries, that optimizes implementation and operational costs, as a potential source of energy for isolated communities in the Amazon. The work was carried out with the help of simulation software HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables) developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Simulations and a comparative study were carried out of the technologies and potential configurations that meet the needs of these isolated communities. The results showed an optimal solution of HGDS PV-FCbatteries with a reduction in the initial cost of the project in about 60% compared to the sizing system only. The HOMER simulated results also indicated that more than 50% of the costs of the PVFCbattery HDGS regarded the PV system.

ASSUNTO(S)

energia elétrica-produção célula combustivel engenharia eletrica energia solar

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