An integrated analysis for sustainable supply of remote winter tourist centers - a future concept case study

Authors: AJLA MERZIC, MUSTAFA MUSIC, MIRSAD RASCIC, NIJAZ HADZIMEJLIC

Abstract: In every power system there are consumer areas away from traditional power networks. Existing grid expansion can always be treated as one of the ways of powering them over long transmission and distribution lines. This is often characterized by significant transmission losses, as well as significant investments, depending on the distance and the infrastructure development. On the other hand, there are cases when these consumers are not connected to the power system and use alternative methods of supply. For that matter, possible solutions may use locally available energy sources. In this paper, comparative analyses between independent power supply through particular hybrid power system (HPS) configurations and the distribution network expansion option are performed. Storage, which represents a major problem in such HPS concepts today due to cost and capacity, is proposed to be in the accumulators of electric vehicles. In addition, an analytical methodology for selecting a sustainable solution for powering remote consumers was implemented. This analysis was verified with reference to a specific type of consumer, a winter tourist center, using real indicators and measured data on wind and solar energy potential at the site. It was shown that such an approach improves the selection of the most favorable sustainable supply solution and is suitable for consumers away from developed distribution networks, e.g., tourist centers, livestock pastures, and small factories. Proposed HPS concepts with storage in the electric vehicles of guests and employees could be a viable solution when this transportation mode becomes dominant in the future.

Keywords: Hybrid power system, remote powering, renewable energy, sustainable power system planning

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