Reducing Emissions using Renewable Sources for Electricity Generation in Stewart Island

Abstract

Abstract This paper evaluates supply to coastal communities that are isolated from a main supply grid compared to current used diesel station. The case study is Stewart Island, where the electricity is provided by a distribution network powered by up to five diesel generators at a central diesel power station. Local residents believe that reducing the consumption of diesel and having a renewable source of electricity generation are two of the island’s highest priorities. Merging a tidal energy source (predictable) with wind (unpredictable) and diesel (back-up), through a microgrid, may be a way to increase reliability and decrease the amount of pollutants. Using two wind and four tidal turbines, plus one diesel generator for back-up, is the best design in terms of lower greenhouse gas emissions, higher renewable fraction, and reduced net present cost. This configuration is simulated and compared with diesel generators system using HOMER PROro software. The results enable to analyse the amount of emissions for both scenarios.