An islanded microgrid to increase quality of life and support agricultural activities of rural communities in Marracuene, Maputo: challenges, sizing, and validation

Abstract

This paper deals with the design, sizing, and validation of an islanded microgrid to aid agricultural activities of rural communities, in which a water pumping system (WPS), a set of dc electric loads, and an energy storage system (ESS) are powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. In this regard, four operation modes are considered and validated by performing computer simulations, namely: (i) solar PV panels to water pump (PV2WP); (ii) solar PV panels to loads (PV2L); (iii) solar PV panels to batteries (PV2B); (iv) batteries to loads (B2L). Despite being intended for implementation in Marracuene, Maputo, the proposed sustainable islanded microgrid solution must present an easy replicability character, low cost, and power expansion capability, independently of the geographical location. Thus, the main challenges regarding idea conception and social impact are addressed, gathering and analyzing power electronics equipment to mitigate energy poverty, increase the community quality of life (QoL), and respond to its daily needs. Simulations results prove the self-sustainable character of the islanded microgrid, with all the proposed operation modes presenting total independence from the electric power grid and without limitations regarding power flow management.