Design and performance evaluation of an islanded hybrid microgrid for an industrial warehouse

This study focuses on designing, optimizing, and evaluating the performance of an islanded hybrid microgrid tailored for an industrial warehouse in Pakistan. The system incorporates a generator, battery energy storage, inverters, solar panels, and AC loads. The feasibility and functionality of the microgrid are assessed using PVsyst, HOMER Pro, SAM, and PVCAD software tools. PVCAD is employed to analyze the impact of land topography on PV plant performance, including PV module shading and overall energy generation, while PVsyst is used for solar plant design. The design data are then transferred to HOMER Pro for modeling and optimization, and to SAM for performance evaluation. The study explores the influence of panel tilt angle, ground albedo, and ground clearance on yearly energy production and the performance ratio (PR) for bifacial solar panels. Key findings include a yearly energy generation prediction of 19.47 MWh at 95 % probability, 19.85 MWh at 90 % probability, and 21.2 MWh at 50 % probability, with a normalized power output of 3.84 kWh/kWp/day and an overall performance ratio (PR) of 0.818 for monofacial panels. The hybrid microgrid is projected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 218.5 tons over 30 years, contributing to sustainability goals. Successful installation and field testing underscore the practical validity of the hybrid microgrid, emphasizing its role in ensuring a stable electricity supply and promoting environmental conservation.