Power losses reduction using solar photovoltaic generation in the rural grid of Hij-Oman

Abstract

Distributed power generation using renewable energy offers a great flexibility in terms of generation, distribution and dispatching. This becomes more strategic when rural area grids are struggling to cope with high diesel fuel costs, dispersed loads and low load factors. This is why the main focus of recent research activities is on minimizing or totally displacing diesel based generation by using hybrid power systems combining wind turbines, solar photovoltaic systems, storage devices and fuel cells. For large rural grids, finding the right place to connect the solar photovoltaic systems must be strategic and optimized. Accordingly, this paper focuses on optimizing the point of connection of solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities in the rural area grid of Hij in the Sultanate of Oman.