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From: Tom Gray <tomgray@IGC.APC.ORG>
Subject:      --Hybrid System Computer Program
To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>

/* Written  6:05 AM  Feb 16, 1996 by tomgray in igc:energy.news */
HYBRID SYSTEM ANALYSIS
PROGRAM NEARS COMPLETION

     Customers for remote hybrid power systems may soon have a
powerful new computer software tool for analyzing possible
combinations of energy sources and making an intelligent selection.

     The HYBRID2 program, which has been under development for the
past four years at the Renewable Energy Research Laboratory (RERL)
of the University of Massachusetts, is scheduled for release to the
general public next year.  The development work has been funded by
the National Renewable Energy Research Laboratory (NREL) as part of
the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) wind energy research and
development program.

     Hybrid systems are those that combine one or more different
power sources.  Renewable power systems may include one or more
wind turbines, solar photovoltaic (PV) cell banks, batteries,
thermoelectric converters, and/or one or more diesel generators of
various sizes, making the choice for a customer a daunting problem.

     NREL contract monitor Jim Green describes HYBRID2 as "a user-
friendly program to predict the performance of a wide range of
renewable and hybrid power options on a 'level playing field.'"
Because of the enormous number of possible combinations of system
components, Green said, "No available tool fills this need.
Usually programs are limited to a specific range of output or type
of system."

     Speaking at NREL's Subcontractor Review meeting July 31,
RERL's Ian Baring-Gould described the new model's ability to
incorporate varying component characteristics.  HYBRID2, he said,
will allow potential users and system suppliers to compare system
configurations that include:

o    Multiple identical and/or non-identical wind turbines,
     installed at a range of varying heights;

o    Multiple identical and/or non-identical diesel systems;

o    Many different power conversion devices, "including rotary,
     static, and parallel";

o    A detailed, user-specified set of instructions for when and
     how batteries connected to the system are to be charged and
     discharged;

o    Detailed user instructions as to which diesel systems are to
     be operated and when, as power demand on the system varies
     throughout the day; and

o    Either or both AC and DC electrical loads.

     HYBRID2, Baring-Gould noted, can not only be used for hybrid
system design, but for improvement of existing systems:  "It can
give you a lot of insights into system control strategies.  In some
cases, you can use the system components you already have, with
some minor changes, and realize significant cost savings."

     The program runs with a Windows-based interface, with online
help, and results are presented in graphs and tables.  Also, it
will come equipped with information on many existing wind turbine
models, so that users can readily plug the appropriate information
into the particular system configuration they desire to
investigate.

     HYBRID2 has undergone extensive in-house testing at RERL and
NREL, Baring-Gould said, and will undergo testing by independent
individuals beginning next month.

_______________________________________________________________________________

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has authorized me to offer
an electronic edition of its newsletter, _Wind Energy Weekly_, from
which the above article is excerpted, at no cost.

For those of you who have not previously seen excerpts from back
issues, the _Weekly_ reports on the outlook for renewable energy,
energy-related environmental issues, and renewable energy
legislation in addition to wind industry trade news.  The
electronic edition normally runs about 10kb in length.

The free electronic edition of the _Weekly_ is intended as an educational
publication for those without a commercial interest in the wind energy
industry.  If your interest in wind is commercial in nature, please write to
<windmail@mcimail.com> for more information about AWEA membership and
publications.

If you would like a free electronic subscription, send me an e-mail
request.  Please include information on your position, organization, and
reason for interest in the publication.
____________________________________________________________________________

Tom Gray                                                  tomgray@econet.org
____________________________________________________________________________

For more information on renewable energy and the environment, visit
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