A hybrid wind-solar power system integrates two renewable energy sources wind and solar, to generate electricity.
In most locations, the wind often blows when sun is not shining while the wind velocities are low when the sun is shining. By combining these two sources, hybrid systems can produce energy around the clock, making them ideal for off-grid locations and areas with unreliable power supply.
These systems are under development. Such a system can be located in vast flat open terrains away from forests and tall buildings at locations where both the solar radiations and wind speeds are available for several months.
Therefore, the solar wind hybrid power system ensures the continuous supply of power at remote locations where grid is not available.
Major Components of a Wind and Solar Hybrid System:
1.Charge Controllers: Managing Power from Dual Sources
Hybrid charge controllers are integral for managing power from both solar and wind sources. These devices ensure voltage stability, protect battery storage, and prolong the system’s lifespan.
2.Role of Inverters in Hybrid Energy System
Inverters convert DC electricity from solar panels and wind turbines into AC electricity, creating a steady energy supply for homes and businesses. They are necessary for integrating various generating units into the hybrid power system, including fixed-speed and variable-speed turbines.
3.Battery Storage Solutions for Consistent Energy Supply
Battery storage is fundamental in wind, solar, and hybrid systems, providing backup power during non-generating periods. This capability ensures a steady energy supply, making these systems more reliable and efficient.
The inclusion of battery storage can reduce power fluctuation from the hybrid plant, allowing for increased power output from the sanctioned capacity at delivery locations and assuring stable power for the period stipulated.
Working of Hybrid Wind Solar Energy System:
Let us try to understand the working of the hybrid generation system in detail.
A block diagram of solar-wind hybrid power system for an isolated location is shown in Fig.
During favorable wind period, the wind turbine generator generates AC power. It may be used directly and connected to AC loads. The excess AC power is converted into DC by rectifier and stored in bank of batteries.
During the day time and favorable sun shine, the solar photovoltaic (PV) system converts the solar radiations received by it directly into DC power. It is stored in the bank of batteries. The DC power is converted into AC by an inverter. This power is supplied to various consumers, street lighting, pumping etc. through the consumer control devices.
Battery acts storage system stores the excess power when demand of energy by consumers is less than the power produced by the solar-wind system. When the power produced by the system is less, the additional energy needed by the consumers is supplied from the battery.
Advantages of Solar-Wind Hybrid Power System are
1. Ensures continuous power supply.
2 System can be used at remote locations where transmission lines are not available.
3. It reduces the size of large energy storage (battery) needed individually for solar power system and wind power systems.
4. WSH plants have a capacity utilization factor (CUF) between 35% and 50%, significantly higher than wind or solar power alone.
