Overview of Power l Storage l Off-grid Projects in RETScreen Expert

Clean Energy Management Software Overview

Introduction to Red Screen Software

• The Red Screen clean energy management software evaluates various power storage and off-grid projects, including photovoltaic, wind, reciprocating engine generators, hydroelectric, and battery storage.

• Users can start with the Virtual Energy Analyzer, which configures Red Screen with values relevant to specific project scenarios known as archetypes.

Understanding Archetypes

• An archetype serves as a convenient starting point for analysis when the scenario resembles it; for instance, analyzing a high-rise apartment building using its corresponding archetype.

• The software compares a base case (typically fossil fuel-based) against a proposed case that aims to reduce conventional fuel consumption.

Setting Up an Analysis

• To begin an analysis in the Virtual Energy Analyzer, users select the type of technology and specify key parameters such as load size in kilowatt hours per day.

• Various archetypes are available for different loads ranging from 240 watt-hours per day up to 240 megawatt-hours per day.

Types of Archetypes Available

• Archetypes include combinations like PV plus Battery or Wind plus Gen Set compared against base cases like reciprocating engine gen sets or grid extensions.

• Specialized applications exist for small DC loads in rural electrification, seasonal cottages, and water pumping systems tailored for irrigation or livestock.

Detailed Analysis Example

Case Study: Photovoltaic Technology

• A specific example involves comparing a gen set base case with a proposed photovoltaic plus battery system while assuming a one-kilowatt average load (24 kilowatt hours/day).

• Users should modify input values based on their project's specifics; typical off-grid houses consume between 2.4 and 24 kilowatt hours per day.

Location Considerations

• The location is crucial; this example assumes an off-grid site near Teslan in Northern Canada.

Model Outputs and Insights

Feasibility Study Results

• After calculations, the model presents inputs satisfying the specified load along with climate data relevant to the chosen location.

• The facility worksheet indicates this is a feasibility study comparing photovoltaic technology against traditional gen set solutions.

Benchmarking Costs

• A benchmark section shows energy production costs across different technologies used in off-grid systems; users can adjust these benchmarks based on selected technologies.

Additional Information Pages

Understanding Off-Grid Power Systems

Overview of Diesel-Fired Reciprocating Engines

• The base case involves a diesel-fired reciprocating engine providing 24 kilowatt-hours per day of AC electricity. Adjustments can be made to this load, but component sizing will not automatically update.

Load Specification Methods

• Users can specify loads in detail using Method 2, which allows for listing individual loads with characteristics such as AC/DC power and operational hours.

Differences Between On-Grid and Off-Grid Systems

• Unlike on-grid systems that rely solely on generating capacity, off-grid systems require defined loads to size generating capacity, storage, and backup generators accordingly.

System Components Examination

• The navigation bar allows users to examine components in the proposed case, including an inverter for DC to AC conversion and a battery with two and a half days of autonomy.

Photovoltaic Array Orientation

• A PV array oriented towards due south is indicated by a value of 0 for azimuth. Components are sized to meet nearly all electricity needs year-round, though some unmet load exists during specific months.

Addressing Unmet Load

Seasonal Load Satisfaction

• The system can fully satisfy the load from February through November; however, December and January show unmet load issues that may require additional peak load options.

Options for Managing Peak Loads

• Users can add or delete peak load power systems based on analysis needs. Increasing the size of existing components is another option to address unmet loads.

Cost Analysis Tools

Cost Database Utilization

• A cost database provides estimates for battery costs per kilowatt-hour of storage capacity across various technologies, aiding in selecting appropriate batteries based on operating characteristics.

Worksheets Overview

• Familiar worksheets include cost analysis (level 2), emissions analysis (level 1), finance worksheet (similar parameters as on-grid projects), risk worksheet (with sensitivity analysis).

Sensitivity Analysis Insights

Financial Outcome Sensitivity

• Sensitivity analyses reveal how financial outcomes like profitability are influenced by initial costs and operational maintenance costs.

Risk Analysis Communication

• A broader risk analysis assesses simultaneous variations in multiple key variables affecting financial outcomes, highlighting critical factors like initial costs and fuel expenses.

Accessing Case Studies and Templates

Utilizing Built-in Resources

• Red screen includes case studies and templates accessible via the open page on the file worksheet. These resources provide real project insights that can guide new analyses.

Differentiation Between Case Studies and Templates

• Case studies describe actual projects while templates serve as starting points based on user-supplied parameters. Both offer valuable frameworks for feasibility studies.

Feasibility Study Options

Generic Feasibility Study Access