MCGILL UNIVERSITY

ASSIGNMENT NO.1D

Simulation and Summary Report of Simulink

Model
Naresh Gaj - ID: 260538617
2/27/2013

Faculty: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Dept: Bioresource Engineering (Macdonald campus)
Course: BREE 501 - Simulation and Modelling (Winter 2013) Lecturer: Dr. Grant Clark
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Introduction
This assignment is based on developing a computational model in Simulink. It was split into several
parts to coincide with the different stages of the modelling process (Figure 1). The first component was
to develop a conceptual model of a system intended to answer a research question or to achieve an
engineering objective. A brief description of the systems components and their interaction was outlined
in this section (see next section on Conceptual model for Simulink) with emphasis on the inputs and
outputs for the model.

Conceptualize
Formalize
Computation
Verification
Simulation
Figure 1: Generic steps in the modelling process.

The second component of the modelling process was to develop the mathematical model of the
system. Thus, a clear relationship between the inputs and outputs was formalized in the form of
mathematical equations. This was then implemented into Simulink as the computational model in the
third component of the assignment.
The final component was to run simulations using the computational model by changing parameters
and input variables and comparing the output results, the contents of which are summarized in this final
report. Refinements to the initial computational model were made to extend the simulation time from 24
hrs to 30 days and to incorporate the cost component into the system.
The following sections describe in detail, the components of the modelling process specific to the
design of a hybrid solar and wind power supply system for a domestic house in the tropical region. The
results of the simulations are included along with a brief discussion on the validity of the model.

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Research Question
What are the cost savings of a hybrid solar and wind power supply system for a domestic household in
the tropical region?
Unit Cost
(Grid Supply - Ceiling)
Grid
Main
Regulator
(Control
Switch)

Solar Energy

Main Load
(Domestic
household)

Total
Consumption
(Total Cost)

Wind Energy
Unit Cost
(Solar Energy)

Unit Cost
(Wind Energy)

Figure 2: Schematic representation of a hybrid power supply system

for a domestic household in the tropical region.

Description of the model

This system will be developed specifically for the tropical region where the
seasonal variation in solar energy during autumn and winter is not
significant. The important components of the system are: the sources of
energy supply (solar, wind and grid); the main regulator (control switch); the
main load (domestic demand) and the unit cost of each energy source. The
solar and wind energy components will include solar panels, wind turbines
and batteries. Also, the unit cost for these two power sources will include
the market prices for all components after installation as well as an estimate
of the annual maintenance cost based on usage.
The main regulator will control the combination of the three power source
based on the off grid energy output and daily domestic demand generated
from the main load. The unit cost of each energy source will then be
applied to the respective energy type produced to give the total cost of
energy consumption on an annual basis. This will allow for an economic
justification of using the hybrid power supply system through simulations of Figure 3: Wind and Solar Hybrid System.
using the grid supply only against the combined configuration over a design Source:http://www.renewableenergyfocus.
com/view/21235/wind-and-solar-hybridperiod of 20 years.
The analysis will be of the synthesis type with known inputs and outputs and hence it will involve designing a
system to fit these criteria through optimization. As such, the excitations are: the size and number of the solar
panels and wind turbines; and meteorological data on average wind speed and duration, solar intensity and
daylight hours on a given year. The responses are: the average daily domestic consumption rate per annum and
the unit cost for each energy source.
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Mathematical Model for Simulink

Input variables and parameters
The electricity demand from the main load (domestic household) was chosen from the average residential load
profile from Southern California across 30 day. This data was stored in an excel file as hourly data and was
imported into Matlab as the Energy Demand variable. It was assumed that this data was representative for an
annual load.
The energy generated by solar radiation was computed from the following:
= 2 ()

where n p is the number of solar panels, A p is the area of a panel (m2) and S r is the average hourly solar intensity
per day (Wh/m2). The efficiency of energy conversion was estimated as 84%. The intensity data was stored in
excel and imported into Matlab as the Solar Radiation variable. A standard size 1.2 m2 solar panel was used.
The energy generated by wind was computed from the following:
= 18.97 2.168 3 ()

where n w is the number of wind turbines, and v is the average hourly wind intensity per day (m/sec), 3 v 13.
This equation is based on the power rating curve for the GES 3kW pole mounted wind turbine. The efficiency of
energy conversion was estimated as 60%. The wind data was also stored in excel and imported into Matlab as
the Wind Speed variable.
As stated in the conceptual model, the main regulator (control switch) will be responsible for distributing the three
main energy supply (solar, wind and grid) in appropriate proportions in response to the demand from the main
load. The following logic equations show the relationships between the input variables defined above and how
the regulator will feed electricity to the main load.
Electricity Demand (D), Solar Energy (S), Wind Energy (W) and Grid Electricity (G)
The energy balance will be governed by + + 4 and the logic equations are:

+ , = 0

+ , = ( + )
The total cost of the energy output was simply the sum of each component (solar, wind and grid) multiplied by its
respective unit cost. The unit cost for the solar and wind power supply was estimated based on ownership costs
and maintenance and operating costs. This was projected over the design period of 20 yrs and then converted to
a cost per unit energy consumption ($ per watt-hour) based on the forecasted demand for that period. It was
assumed that the cost for a unit of solar power generated would decrease as the number of solar panel in the
system increased. For this analysis, the maximum number of solar panels used was 2 as this was thought to be
practical for a characteristic domestic household.

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Computational Model Implemented in Simulink

Figure 4: Computational (Simulink) model of a hybrid solar and wind power supply system
for a domestic household in the tropical region

The computational model in Figure 4 closely resembles that for the conceptual model of the hybrid power supply
system. The primary inputs are the solar energy, wind energy and main load (domestic household). These were
represent by subsystems as shown in Figure 4 and each subsystem was built using their respective equations as
previously defined in the mathematical model. These input signals are fed into the main regulator (control switch)
which is represented with another subsystem. This subsystem was built using the two logic equations relating the
three input variables to the grid supply. Thus, it determines the amount of grid supplied electricity for input into
the system if needed. As an example, if the input wind and solar energy combined is less than the demand from
the main load, the difference will be fed to the system by the grid supply. When the combined wind and solar
energy is greater than the demand, the excess will be stored for possible supply to the grid.
The simulation time posed the biggest challenge while developing the computational model. This was because
initially the input variables, parameters and hence mathematical equations were valid only for hourly time input
per day. This was partially rectified by changing from an energy demand equation to actual hourly data on
domestic energy consumption over a 30 days period. This had to be done for the solar and wind input data as
well.
Also, the conceptual model was designed with a cost component in mind. This was to compare the cost of the
grid supply only simulation against combination of the three power source simulation. This idea was later
incorporated into the revised model and simulations with cost outputs were generated to do a comparison as
stated in the modified research objective
The model has some flexibility as the number of solar panels and wind turbines can be varied as well as the size
of the solar panels. Longer periods of solar and wind intensity data can also be incorporated into the model to
refine and improve the accuracy of the results.

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Simulations
Three simulations were ran using the computational model developed in Simulink. These were as
follows:
1) No solar and wind power inputs (baseline grid supply only condition)
2) 1 no. solar panel and 1 no. wind turbine
3) 2 nos. solar panel and 1 no. wind turbine
Table no.1 shows the result from these simulations based on the set unit cost parameters. As
previously stated, the first simulation represents no hybrid power supply system and hence serves as
the base line cost for purchasing power from the grid. The second simulation is based on using a single
solar panel and wind turbine to generate power while Simulation 3 is based on 2 solar panels.

Solar Power
Wind Power
Grid Power
Total cost (30 days)
Total cost (20 yrs)

Simulation 1

Simulation 2

Simulation 3

Unit cost ($/Wh)

0.00
0.00
0.05
$25,750
$6,180,000

Unit cost ($/Wh)

0.01
0.02
0.05
$23,033
$5,527,824

Unit cost ($/Wh)

0.003
0.02
0.05
$17,355
$4,165,200

Table 1: Results from the simulation scenarios ran using the computational model developed in Simulink
Note the amount quoted is in Guyanese Dollars ($GYD).

The cost savings over the analysis period is $652,176 using Simulation 2 (1 solar + 1 wind) and
$2,014,800 (2 solar + 1 wind) using Simulation 3 when compared to the baseline cost of Simulation 1
(Grid only). This is a direct answer to the research objective and hence using 2 solar panels with 1 wind
turbine would generate savings of approximately 33% over 20 years.
These results do not serve as validation of the model against a prototype of the system. This is as a
results of numerous assumptions that were made while developing the model. These include: assuming
the monthly demand is constant over 20 years, assuming the 30 days period of wind and solar intensity
data is representative of the annual climate data in the tropical region and, estimating a constant
efficiency factor for both the solar and wind power hybrid systems over the design period. It is
recommended to use a larger time series of input data (preferably annual demand and weather data)
for the model to generate cost savings more accurately.
References:
GES. 2012. Pole mounted VAWT solutions technical data sheet. Green Energy Solutions.
Miao, Z. and Fan, L. 2008. The art of modelling and simulation of induction generator in wind generation
applications using high-order model. Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, 16(9): 1239-1253.
NAHB. 2001. Review of residential electrical energy use data. NAHB Research Center, Inc. Upper Marlboro, MD
20774.
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