Optimisation of Off-grid Solar-Biogas Hybrid System for a Dairy Plant in India

A techno-economical optimization framework is used to design and optimize an off-grid solar-biogas hybrid renewable energy system that uses five percent glycerin for feedstock. A self-modelled algorithm and an iterative numerical modelling approach are used to optimize the system. Based on the optimization results, a 254 kW solar plant operating at a 15 percent capacity factor was needed. It was determined that the biogas system would require 310 m
³
storage capacity at 10 atm pressure, two turbines rated at 20 kW and 25 kW, and a 100 kWhr supercapacitor. A pumped hydro storage (PHS) system with a capacity of 1880 m
³
and two turbines rated at 40 kW and 50 kW was required to store the surplus energy generated. As a result, the system will be able to meet the energy demand of a dairy plant with an annual surplus of 8.3 MWhr. Furthermore, the plant does not have any significant environmental impact.