Technical and economic feasibility study of implementing a photovoltaic system in a water treatment plant

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17981/ingecuc.14.1.2018.04

Keywords:

Feasibility, Photovoltaic energy, solar energy, Electrical lighting, Feasibility studies.

Abstract

Introduction: Illumination systems based on sodium and mercury vapor lamps are inefficient and consume a big amount of electrical energy. LED lamps represent an attractive alternative to decrease electricity consumption. On the other hand, photovoltaic systems are being utilized as a renewable energy source to reduce CO2 emissions, but their implementation also depends on economic considerations.

Objective: This study aims to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of implementing a photovoltaic system to optimize the illumination circuit of a water treatment plant.

Methodology: Two possibilities options were considered: off-grid and grid-tied systems. The current illumination circuit was analyzed and the LED equivalent circuit was calculated. Based on the new illumination circuit, a photovoltaic off-grid system was sized to power the LED luminaires during three consecutive days without sunlight. Likewise, a grid-tie system was designed to power the proposed LED illumination circuit. Both scenarios were evaluated by using PVsyst software, which allows establishing parameters for an economic assessment.

Results: Although changing luminaires reduces the operating cost by 50 %, the off-grid system is infeasible due to the high initial investment cost, meanwhile the grid-tie system is feasible, with a rate of return that is lower than the one allowed by the company.

Conclusions: Changing the current illumination system to LED technology is an economically-wise decision for the company. Regarding the PV grid-tie system, it can be economically attractive if the tax credits and the recent regulation for small-scale generators in Colombia are considered.

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Author Biographies

Jesús Enrique García Garnica, Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander. Cúcuta (Colombia).

Jesús E. García Garnica recibió su título de ingeniero electrónico en el 2017 de la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander (Cúcuta, Colombia). Sus intereses en investigación incluyen sistemas embebidos, iluminación eficiente y energía solar fotovoltaica. Actualmente ocupa el cargo de Ingeniero Biomédico en DaVita Inc. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6923-5359

Sergio Basilio Sepúlveda Mora, Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander. Cúcuta (Colombia).

 

Sergio B. Sepúlveda Mora recibió su título de ingeniero electrónico en el 2007 de la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander (Cúcuta, Colombia). Obtuvo el título de Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering en el año 2012 de la Universidad de Delaware (Newark, DE, Estados Unidos). Es profesor de tiempo completo en el Departamento de Electricidad y Electrónica en la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander. Sus intereses en investigación incluyen sistemas embebidos, redes inalámbricas de sensores, energía solar fotovoltaica, microredes y ciencia de los datos. Actualmente cursa un doctorado en Ingeniería Eléctrica y Computación en la Universidad de Delaware. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1248-7616

Julian Ferreira Jaimes, Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander. Cúcuta (Colombia).

Julián Ferreira Jaimes recibió su título de ingeniero electrónico en el 2002 de la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander (Cúcuta, Colombia). Obtuvo su título de Magíster en Ingeniería Electrónica de la Universidad Nacional Experimental del Táchira (San Cristóbal, Venezuela) en el año 2008. Sus intereses en investigación incluyen inteligencia artificial, microelectrónica, energía solar fotovoltaica y robótica. Actualmente es profesor del Departamento de Electricidad y Electrónica en la Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7660-3949

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INGE CUC Vol. 14 no. 1

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Published

2018-01-01

How to Cite

García Garnica, J. E., Sepúlveda Mora, S. B., & Ferreira Jaimes, J. (2018). Technical and economic feasibility study of implementing a photovoltaic system in a water treatment plant. INGE CUC, 14(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.17981/ingecuc.14.1.2018.04

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2018): (January - June)

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