16:00 - 17:40
Room: Stora Salen
Chair/s:
Helma Maria Trondheim
HYB25-56
Comparison of HOMER Grid and PyPSA for CEM to meet high VRE on Island Grids_A Case Study for Vanuatus Efate Grid
02 HYB25-56
Presented by: Janendra Prasad
Janendra Prasad 1, Anna Bruce 1, Iain Macgill 1, Nidhi Verma 2
1 University of New South Wales
2 UL
Vanuatu has established ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions and has actively advocated on the international stage for climate change mitigation. Nevertheless, the adoption of renewable energy within the country has fallen significantly short of the established targets, despite considerable efforts and investments. Small island developing states encounter unique challenges and opportunities in their transition to renewable energy sources; however, there is a dearth of published studies that provide comprehensive strategies for achieving renewable energy objectives. During the 5th PRETMM in May 2023, the Pacific regional energy ministers called for the implementation of enhanced planning frameworks and the adoption of capacity expansion tools to support electricity sector planning for the transition to renewables, while also ensuring the security and resilience of island grids that incorporate a substantial proportion of variable renewable energy. Given the planning capacity constraints of these small nations and the distinctive characteristics of their grids, it remains uncertain how to select appropriate modelling tools and develop the necessary capabilities for their application.
This study offers a comparative analysis of two well-established software tools, HOMER Grid and PyPSA, for capacity expansion modelling within this context, with an emphasis on their capabilities for integrating renewable energy into isolated island grids. The objective of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030 for the Efate Grid, in alignment with Vanuatu's National Energy Road Map (NERM), serves as the test case for this study. The research evaluates the overall capabilities, advantages, and limitations of both tools, particularly regarding their suitability for the Pacific Island nations.
HOMER Pro is recognized for its intuitive interface and extensive collection of renewable energy components, and it has been widely utilized for the design and optimization of off-grid electricity systems. However, with the advent of HOMER Grid, its application for on-grid scenarios is increasing. In contrast, PyPSA is distinguished by its open-source platform, adaptability, and capacity to manage complex power system models with provisions for generation dispatchability. The study conducts a comparison of outcomes for modelling the dispatch of a base year and the least-cost capacity expansion trajectory. Validation is performed against the base year, and deviations in the outcomes are examined to enhance the understanding of the sources of these differences. The advantages and disadvantages of both tools, considering the unique characteristics of smaller isolated island grids, are assessed.
The modelling utilizes field data pertaining to the Efate Grid, including the current grid architecture, energy consumption trends, geographical characteristics, and available renewable energy resources. The analysis explores several technological scenarios that leverage indigenous resource endowments such as wind, solar, geothermal, and coconut oil while incorporating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to address grid stability constraints and meet renewable energy targets.
This research contributes original insights by analysing the suitability of HOMER Grid and PyPSA and exploring how these tools can be adapted to inform planning within the unique context of the Efate Grid and the framework of Vanuatu's NERM objectives. The primary findings from the comparative analysis provide valuable insights into least-cost planning pathways, system stability, and pragmatic approaches for achieving 100% renewable energy for the Efate Grid specifically, and more generally for other relatively smaller isolated grids.
The research emphasizes the significance of addressing the specific needs of small island grids and offers valuable recommendations for policymakers and energy planners striving toward sustainable and resilient energy systems for the broader Pacific Island region.
Vanuatu has established ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions and has actively advocated on the international stage for climate change mitigation. Nevertheless, the adoption of renewable energy within the country has fallen significantly short of the established targets, despite considerable efforts and investments. Small island developing states encounter unique challenges and opportunities in their transition to renewable energy sources; however, there is a dearth of published studies that provide comprehensive strategies for achieving renewable energy objectives. During the 5th PRETMM in May 2023, the Pacific regional energy ministers called for the implementation of enhanced planning frameworks and the adoption of capacity expansion tools to support electricity sector planning for the transition to renewables, while also ensuring the security and resilience of island grids that incorporate a substantial proportion of variable renewable energy. Given the planning capacity constraints of these small nations and the distinctive characteristics of their grids, it remains uncertain how to select appropriate modelling tools and develop the necessary capabilities for their application.
This study offers a comparative analysis of two well-established software tools, HOMER Grid and PyPSA, for capacity expansion modelling within this context, with an emphasis on their capabilities for integrating renewable energy into isolated island grids. The objective of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030 for the Efate Grid, in alignment with Vanuatu's National Energy Road Map (NERM), serves as the test case for this study. The research evaluates the overall capabilities, advantages, and limitations of both tools, particularly regarding their suitability for the Pacific Island nations.
HOMER Pro is recognized for its intuitive interface and extensive collection of renewable energy components, and it has been widely utilized for the design and optimization of off-grid electricity systems. However, with the advent of HOMER Grid, its application for on-grid scenarios is increasing. In contrast, PyPSA is distinguished by its open-source platform, adaptability, and capacity to manage complex power system models with provisions for generation dispatchability. The study conducts a comparison of outcomes for modelling the dispatch of a base year and the least-cost capacity expansion trajectory. Validation is performed against the base year, and deviations in the outcomes are examined to enhance the understanding of the sources of these differences. The advantages and disadvantages of both tools, considering the unique characteristics of smaller isolated island grids, are assessed.
The modelling utilizes field data pertaining to the Efate Grid, including the current grid architecture, energy consumption trends, geographical characteristics, and available renewable energy resources. The analysis explores several technological scenarios that leverage indigenous resource endowments such as wind, solar, geothermal, and coconut oil while incorporating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to address grid stability constraints and meet renewable energy targets.
This research contributes original insights by analysing the suitability of HOMER Grid and PyPSA and exploring how these tools can be adapted to inform planning within the unique context of the Efate Grid and the framework of Vanuatu's NERM objectives. The primary findings from the comparative analysis provide valuable insights into least-cost planning pathways, system stability, and pragmatic approaches for achieving 100% renewable energy for the Efate Grid specifically, and more generally for other relatively smaller isolated grids.
The research emphasizes the significance of addressing the specific needs of small island grids and offers valuable recommendations for policymakers and energy planners striving toward sustainable and resilient energy systems for the broader Pacific Island region.