Assessment of prosumer-based energy system for rural areas by using TRNSYS software

Abstract

The prosumers are the new performers progressing towards a low-carbon future. Renewable-based power generation is essential, even in rural areas, to pave a path toward sustainable development. This study establishes a simulation model for two identical residential buildings to assess the prosumer's impact on future local (standalone) energy systems. According to the climate condition of Pakistan, the technical, economic, and environmental performance of the standalone system is evaluated using TRNSYS software. Assumptions and modeling of different components, photovoltaic (PV) panels, and batteries are also discussed. This study provides the starting point of a real-time framework of energy trade between two rural houses connected with a common microgrid. Both houses are medium-sized family houses with almost identical electricity demands. One house has PV mounted on the rooftop, with the battery as an optimal energy storage option. Attention is given to peak demand management and surplus energy during enough production hours. A dynamic energy management approach between two buildings is proposed based on TRNSYS and blockchain. Simulation results show that the real-time implementation of local energy production and energy trading at the household level facilitates achieving the dual benefits of reducing consumer costs and maximizing self-consumption.