The application of autonomous systems based on renewable energy sources in rural settlements of different regions of Russian Federation

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the research is to analyze and determine the most perspective renewable energy source (RES) for autonomous off-grid electrification in small settlements (less than 500 people) of Russia. Three climate zones were investigated in the research – South region, Far East region, Central region where average summer insolation is 5,76 kWh/m2; 5,88 kWh/m2; 5,35 kWh/m2 and average winter insolation is 1,93 kWh/m2; 0,75 kWh/m2; 1,03 kWh/m2, respectively. Output power values were similar in all investigated regions, however the main economic impact comes from social-economic factors – regional fuel price, transporting costs, assumed to be 75$US/month and size of photovoltaic system – higher solar activity needs fewer PV cells to satisfy required load. Using simulating software, hybrid photovoltaic-diesel systems demonstrated various costs of energy (LCOE): 0.257$/kWh in Krasnodar region, 0,378$/kWh in Orenburg region and 0,4$/kWh in Irkutsk region. Higher solar activity during winter season in Krasnodar region that allows to reduce fuel consumption as well as LCOE. Increased solar activity also allows to reduce the number of panels required to satisfy the demand. These results was compared to diesel only generators. Krasnodar region generators LCOE was 1,19$US/kWh, Orenburg region generators LCOE was 1,13$US/kWh, Irkutsk region generators LCOE was 1,31$US/kWh. The investigation also shows the influence of the ecological factor on the utilization of renewable energy sources – decrease in fuel consumption from 6000 liters per year to about 250 liters per year as well as reducing the carbon dioxide emissions.