An Optimized Off-gird Renewable AC/DC Microgrid for Remote Communities of Pakistan

Supplying electricity to rural areas can improve the socio-economic status of remote communities. Today, renewable energy technologies are the most focused research areas as they can play an important role in improving the quality of life by meeting the electricity demand. Indigenous renewable energy resources (RES) in these remote areas can be used to form a hybrid system that meets the electrical requirements of the community. This research explores a variety of hybrid and renewable energy systems (HRES) based on solar and wind resources to meet diverse community needs. The remote area of Pindiali (Latitude: 34 degrees 27.29 minutes North, Longitude 71 degrees 27.22 minutes East) in the Mohmand District of Pakistan is considered a study area. The system is designed and analyzed with anticipated load requirements and existing energy resources using HOMER software. The proposed system has a very low cost of energy (i.e., 0.166 $/kWh). The suggested solar wind hybrid system (SWHS) can be easily adapted to other areas of the globe with alike climates.