Análisis de viabilidad técnico-económico de sistemas fotovoltaicos a pequeña escala con distintas tecnologías de almacenamiento

On a global scale, the use of renewable sources to produce electricity is increasing because of increased energy needs, volatility of prices of fossil fuels and environmental problems caused by them. This study performs a technical-economic analysis of small renewable systems with different storage technologies (lead, lithium and flow batteries) to determine the option to supply residential demand in the best operating conditions. The analysis is done to a photovoltaic (SFV) system that works both as island and connected to the grid and which supplies the energy demand to a type of housing in the city of Cuenca (Ecuador). The software used in this analysis is HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources), that facilitates obtaining an optimal configuration of an SFV, taking advantage of the existing solar resources in the area. From the analysis it is concluded that given its technical characteristics, a flow battery would be the one that best suits this type of systems. However, its cost (and size) is still an important barrier, favoring the use of lead batteries.