Comparative Study of Optimization of HRES using HOMER and iHOGA Software

Abstract

There has been several methodologies to size hybrid renewable energy system (HRES). This paper provides the comparative study of the simulation results between HOMER and iHOGA software packages. These two softwarepackages are used to optimally size renewable energy systems for a micro-grid. A small community in Aralvaimozhi, India is considered. Aralvaimozhi has a good potential of Solar energy and Wind energy resources. If these resources are trapped efficiently using HRES, an efficient micro-grid could eventually replace the present old and less efficient electricity grid. In this study, the optimally sized HRES with least value of Net Present Cost (NPC) resulted from HOMER and iHOGA software packages have been discussed and their results have been compared for a definite scenario.