Microgrid Application in Algeria Saharian Remote Areas

*Mounir Khiat, Sid Ahmed Khiat, Mohamed Mankour and Leila Ghomri*

## **Abstract**

This paper presents a model and simulation for the development of microgrids in remote areas of the Algerian Sahara, including micro power plants, photovoltaic panels, wind farms, diesel energy and storage facilities. The climate of the Algerian Sahara, located on both sides of a tropical region, is hot, sunny and arid. Daytime temperatures are very high and can exceed 50°C, while the thermal amplitude between day and night is often above 350 or 400°C. In addition, there are many microclimates that are characterised by very high wind speeds. This means that wind energy and photovoltaic energy are both widely appropriate in this field, especially if we assume that the distribution of the population is very dispersed. The creation of microgrids for consumption will be an interesting solution to provide energy to the local population. The microgrid is part of the electrical system and is very dynamic. Production and supply forecasts will lead to reshipment, demand and price effects on regional markets. These feedback effects must be modelled and understood to achieve a stable energy system based on renewable energy.

**Keywords:** remote areas, design microgrid, modelling, real-time simulation

### **1. Introduction**

In the south of Algeria, temperature passes through two extreme values, i.e., from −10 to 34°C (14–93°F), and in some years can reach 49°C (120°F). We see that temperature variation in a day can be more than 44°C (80°F).

On the other hand, winds in the same area are frequent and strong. Rainfall is distributed in irregular manner along the year [1, 2].

The Sahara region is divided into several areas, such as, Bas-Sahara [1], which represents more than half of the population; the western and southern extremities, which are still sparsely populated (less than 0.2 h/km2 ), as shown in **Table 1**; followed by Central Western Sahara, where four regions have just over 500,000 inhabitants; and, the northeast Sahara, which represents the most populated region of the Sahara: 1,900,000 inhabitants, or more than two thirds of the Saharan population, live in an area of less than 10% of the desert, with an average density of more than 10 inhabitants/km2 [3].

These data show that it is impossible to supply energy from conventional power plants. This is why we propose a microgrid model that will be autonomous and selfcontrolled to ensure continuity of service.

Microgrid power supply networks are emerging to produce, distribute and regulate the flow of electricity at the local level. Microgrids are ideal for university

#### *Micro-Grids - Applications, Operation, Control and Protection*


#### **Table 1.**

*Evolution of forecasting power demand.*

campuses, military bases, remote sites, office buildings and industrial sites. Improving power quality and reducing transmission losses, robustness and resilience are the main characteristics of microgrid systems [4].

The electricity market in Algeria is very important. Sonelgaz (National Society for Electricity and Gas) is the main supplier of electricity and gas. The country's power plants are open-cycle gas turbines, combined-cycle gas turbines, conventional steam turbines and, more recently, renewable energy sources. Recently, the coverage capacity of the electrical installation's network has reached 98%, with more than 80% in the north [5].

The objective of the real-time simulation is to test the various electrical equipments, under the most natural conditions possible: as if they were connected to the real physical systems associated with them.

The results obtained by this tool will allow us to have a very precise vision of the functioning of microgrids, in terms of power flow or default responses.

The remaining part of the paper is organised as follows: Section 2 describes the evolution of renewable energies in Algeria. In Section 3, we discussed the modelling of a microgrid in Adrar area, located southwest of Algiers, and Section 4 presents a real-time simulation. Finally, Section 5 summarises the results of this work and perspectives of future works.

### **2. Renewable energy evolution in Algeria**

Algeria's national priority is to achieve the multiplication of energy produced by renewable sources. Algeria has great potential in solar energy and may become a leader in the MENA region, and an interesting partner in the world.

Solar and wind energies tend to have become a more serious and efficient solution to enhance supply security and reliability of the whole power system. It contributes too to increasing energy conversion efficiency, transmission and distribution [6].

Since the 1970s, the national programme has strongly supported the use of solar and wind energies; solar is positioned in the first position, but now wind power production is also being strengthened, as shown in **Figure 1**.

Economically, conventional power supply by extending the networks is not suitable for remote centres. This is true for the Sahara regions with its surface area of about 2 million km2 , and only an autonomous mean of supply is to be considered. For this reason, microgrid is the appropriate solution.

**Table 1**, published by the Algerian National Society for Electricity and Gas (SONELGAZ), shows the evolution of the power forecasts in southern Algeria and in particular in the Adrar area studied.

**27**

**Figure 2.**

*Microgrids architecture.*

*Microgrid Application in Algeria Saharian Remote Areas*

**3. Modelling a microgrid in the Adrar study area**

A simulation model is presented in **Figure 2** (**Table 2**).

energy advisor to ensure the best possible result.

utilities must be taken into account.

*Algerian renewable energy distribution.*

**3.1 General architecture**

itself [10].

**Figure 1.**

Microgrids must adapt existing frameworks. For this reason, the project must be carefully coordinated between the proponent, the utility and the proponent's

For electricity interconnection with the grid and to optimise reliability, resilience and efficiency of the grid, utility tariffs and franchise fees must be adapted. When designing the microgrid stage, the interconnection specifications of local

In the first step to designing our microgrid, we will begin by the wind farm of Kabertene (70 km north of Adrar), which produce about 10 megawatts (MW). This parc is composed of 12 wind turbines, each one have a unit capacity of 0.85 MW. It is interconnected with the 220/30 KV substation located in the locality

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86352*

*Microgrid Application in Algeria Saharian Remote Areas DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86352*

*Micro-Grids - Applications, Operation, Control and Protection*

Maximal power needed from interconnected

Maximal power from isolated south network

*Evolution of forecasting power demand.*

network

(kw)

**Table 1.**

campuses, military bases, remote sites, office buildings and industrial sites. Improving power quality and reducing transmission losses, robustness and resil-

The electricity market in Algeria is very important. Sonelgaz (National Society for Electricity and Gas) is the main supplier of electricity and gas. The country's power plants are open-cycle gas turbines, combined-cycle gas turbines, conventional steam turbines and, more recently, renewable energy sources. Recently, the coverage capacity of the electrical installation's network has reached 98%, with

**Power Realisation Evolution rate** 

Maximal power from Adrar pole (kw) 261 279 288 8.2

2014 2015 2016

10927 12380 28390 3.7

214 227 242 25.5

**(%)**

The objective of the real-time simulation is to test the various electrical equipments, under the most natural conditions possible: as if they were connected to the

The results obtained by this tool will allow us to have a very precise vision of the

The remaining part of the paper is organised as follows: Section 2 describes the evolution of renewable energies in Algeria. In Section 3, we discussed the modelling of a microgrid in Adrar area, located southwest of Algiers, and Section 4 presents a real-time simulation. Finally, Section 5 summarises the results of this work and

Algeria's national priority is to achieve the multiplication of energy produced by renewable sources. Algeria has great potential in solar energy and may become a

Since the 1970s, the national programme has strongly supported the use of solar and wind energies; solar is positioned in the first position, but now wind power

, and only an autonomous mean of supply is to be considered.

Economically, conventional power supply by extending the networks is not suitable for remote centres. This is true for the Sahara regions with its surface area

**Table 1**, published by the Algerian National Society for Electricity and Gas (SONELGAZ), shows the evolution of the power forecasts in southern Algeria and

Solar and wind energies tend to have become a more serious and efficient solution to enhance supply security and reliability of the whole power system. It contributes too to increasing energy conversion efficiency, transmission and

functioning of microgrids, in terms of power flow or default responses.

leader in the MENA region, and an interesting partner in the world.

production is also being strengthened, as shown in **Figure 1**.

For this reason, microgrid is the appropriate solution.

in particular in the Adrar area studied.

ience are the main characteristics of microgrid systems [4].

more than 80% in the north [5].

perspectives of future works.

distribution [6].

of about 2 million km2

real physical systems associated with them.

**2. Renewable energy evolution in Algeria**

**26**

**Figure 1.** *Algerian renewable energy distribution.*
