60409 20200221144306.0 doi 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.01.057 sideral 93649 ART-2016-93649 eng (orcid)0000-0002-1490-6423 Dufo-López, R. Universidad de Zaragoza Optimisation of energy supply at off-grid healthcare facilities using Monte Carlo simulation 2016 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted In this paper, we present a methodology for the optimisation of off-grid hybrid systems (photovoltaic-diesel-battery systems). A stochastic approach is developed by means of Monte Carlo simulation to consider the uncertainties of irradiation and load. The optimisation is economic; that is, we look for a system with a lower net present cost including installation, replacement of the components, operation and maintenance, etc. The most important variable that must be estimated is the batteries lifespan, which depends on the operating conditions (charge/discharge cycles, corrosion, state of charge, etc.). Previous works used classical methods for the estimation of batteries lifespan, which can be too optimistic in many cases, obtaining a net present cost of the system much lower than in reality. In this work, we include an advanced weighted Ah-throughput model for the lead-acid batteries, which is much more realistic. The optimisation methodology presented in this paper is applied in the optimisation of the electrical supply for an off-grid hospital located in Kalonge (Democratic Republic of the Congo). At the moment, the power supply relies on a diesel generator; batteries are used in order to ensure the basic supply of energy when the generator is unavailable (night hours). The optimisation includes the possibility of adding solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to improve the supply of electrical energy. The results show that optimal design could achieve a 28% reduction in the levelised cost of energy and a 54% reduction in the diesel fuel used in the generator, thereby reducing pollution. Furthermore, we discuss possible improvements to the telecommunications of the hospital. info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by-nc-nd http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/ 5.589 2016 ENERGY & FUELS 10 / 92 = 0.109 2016 Q1 T1 THERMODYNAMICS 2 / 58 = 0.034 2016 Q1 T1 MECHANICS 4 / 133 = 0.03 2016 Q1 T1 2.232 2016 Energy Engineering and Power Technology 2016 Q1 Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment 2016 Q1 Nuclear Energy and Engineering 2016 Q1 Fuel Technology 2016 Q1 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion Pérez-Cebollada, E. (orcid)0000-0003-2813-1240 Bernal-Agustín, J.L. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-2887-2105 Martínez-Ruiz, I. Universidad de Zaragoza 5009 535 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Ingeniería Eléctrica Área Ingeniería Eléctrica 5008 560 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Ingeniería Electrón.Com. Área Ingeniería Telemática 113 (2016), 321-330 Energy convers. manag. Energy Conversion and Management 0196-8904 1526178 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/60409/files/texto_completo.pdf Postprint 86339 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/60409/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Postprint oai:zaguan.unizar.es:60409 articulos driver 2020-02-21-13:35:02 ARTICLE