Economic Evaluation of Micro-Grids with Renewable Generation

Argentina must increase the incorporation of renewable energy to its energy matrix while simultaneously developing efficient strategies for its management. In this regard, micro-grids are adequate to face the technical challenges associated with the energy management that is necessary to compensate for the low predictability of energy generation due to the high variability of renewable sources. This work analyzes the economic feasibility of installing two micro-grids (with renewable generation), of interest for the Litoral-Centro region of Argentina. The first analyzed case consists in supply energy to an isolated sawmill. The second case is an interesting proposal for a large energy user (more than 300 kW installed power) in order to fulfill, in a profitable way, the obligation to self-generate renewable energy using a hydro-kinetic river turbine to supply a public lighting sector. HOMER Pro is used to design optimally the micro-grid and to simulate its electrical and economic performance during its useful life. The results are promising for the region in terms of the available resources of the Litoral Argentino.