Development of a Tool for Optimizing Solar and Battery Storage for Container Farming in a Remote Arctic Microgrid

摘要: High transportation costs make energy and food expensive in remote communities worldwide, especially high-latitude Arctic climates. Past attempts to grow indoors these areas have proven uneconomical due the need for imported diesel heating electricity. This study aims determine whether solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity can be used affordably power container farms integrated with a community microgrid. A mixed-integer linear optimization model (FEWMORE: Food–Energy–Water Microgrid Optimization Renewable Energy) has been developed minimize capital maintenance of installing photovoltaics plus storage operational purchasing from microgrid farm. FEWMORE expands upon previous models by simulating demand-side management farm loads. Its results are compared those another (HOMER) test case. determined that 17 kW PV was optimal loads, resulting total annual cost decline ~14% currently operating Yukon. Managing specific loads appropriately reduce ~18%. Thus, even an climate, where system supplies only ~7% load during winter ~25% entire year, investing reduces costs.