Optimizing wind-diesel hybrid energy systems including a demand side management strategy

The New Zealand research station at Scott Base, Antarctica is used as a study of incorporation of wind power generation into an isolated microgrid powered by diesel generator. The generation plant at Scott Base uses waste heat from the generator to supply heating loads. The Antarctic conditions require gearless wind turbine generators, and the limitations on transport and construction vehicles as well as the demand levels lower than 200 kWe dictated the possible size of wind turbine. Energy audit data from the base was used to develop a load model. The current power and heat generation system was simulated using HOMER. The incorporation of wind turbines using local weather data was simulated and an optimal system design determined, based on measure of merit being total fuel consumption. Battery storage is costly, so a novel idea of demand side management was explored by effectively storing energy in the form of laundry when excess wind is available and curtailing laundry use when wind speeds are low. Simulations of this deferred load showed increased fuel savings could be gained through demand side participation.