Optimal Sizing of Micro Hydropower to Improve Hybrid Renewable Power System

This paper presents an analysis of optimal micro hydropower (MH) capacity of hybrid systems to improve renewable energy based power systems. The electricity system was designed by considering river water flow data and solar radiation data at the research location of Universitas Andalas (Unand). Optimal results obtained for the configuration of the Grid, MH, and photovoltaic (PV) with a head height of 30 m and a flow rate of 800 L/s with the lowest Cost of Energy (CoE) value of $ 0.065. As an optimal sizing system has been able to increase the composition of renewable energy generation in the Unand electrical network. The renewable energy fraction has increased from 26.4% to 36.5%. Therefore, determining the optimal capacity will increase the use of renewable energy generation. Conversely, an increase in electricity supply from renewable energy plants will reduce electricity consumption from the State Electricity Company (Perusahaan Listrik Negara, PLN) grid. The latest excess power generation at a low load can be sold to the PLN grid.