Abstract
The objective of this project was to develop a modeling framework to identify and evaluate technoeconomic benefits or issues associated with integrating wave energy along with other variable renewable energy sources into small, isolated grid systems. This project was subawarded to University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) by the University of Hawaii due to the suitability of small, remote Alaskan communities for the research. Yakutat, a small Alaskan community of approximately 600 residents with diesel-based electrical loads of approximately 700 kW, is the focus of the study. The objective was achieved using a mix of tools including the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) model, the UAF-developed Micro Grid Renewable Integration Dispatch and Sizing (MiGRIDS) package, a MathWorks Simulink-based model, collection of high-fidelity wave and solar photovoltaic (PV) resource data, a high fidelity Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) simulation, and satellite-based solar PV estimates. Economic assessments were made using output from MiGRIDS and HOMER. The potential for grid impacts for different mixes of wave and solar PV, a battery energy storage system (BESS), and existing diesel-based electrical generation assets was assessed using a basic Simulink simulation.