Smart grid energy system operation study

Abstract

Energy systems which combine renewable energy sources and waste-to-energy systems have been of great interest around the world. These systems use eco-friendly technologies and reduce waste production, which are the emerging priorities of the European Union. This paper describes an experimental hybrid energy system installed in the Technology Centre of Ostrava (TCO) at VSB-Technical University of Ostrava consisting of a solar photovoltaic system, fuel cell technology, pyrolysis unit, cogeneration unit, power converters and battery packs. These components form a system able to produce electricity to power our facilities or to be supplied into the electrical grid with financial profits. The experimental operation was carried out to determine a real electricity yield. The fuel for the pyrolysis unit was ground tyres, as common waste with high combustible gas components, which is suitable for cogeneration unit operation. In a 24-h operation mode, there was 1280 kWh of electricity supplied to the power grid, but if we take into consideration all energy inputs into the system and only electricity production as output, the efficiency was only 9%.