Communication system for the remote hybrid power system in Ramea Newfoundland

A reliable communication system is essential for the operation of a remote hybrid power system. Such system is needed to interconnect the wind turbines, diesel generators, and the hydrogen energy storage with a centralized supervisory controller and data acquisition system. For the purpose of this research, we have considered the remote wind-diesel-hydrogen hybrid power system currently under development at Ramea, Newfoundland. Communication methods such as Wireless Ethernet, Fiber Optic, Power Line Carrier, and low RF transceivers are analysed in order to decide the most efficient and low cost approach to a reliable communication solution. This paper illustrates the advantages of using power lines as communication carriers in addition to a collective transmission agreement with a wireless backup link which should have none or minimum transmission instabilities during a severe weather condition. The research also presents a description of parameters being measured by the data acquisition system at Ramea's remote wind-diesel-hydrogen energy solution.