A Solution to Mitigate Load Shedding Problem using Hybrid Energy System: Case Study of Pakistan

Load shedding is a common practice in many developing countries to mitigate the high-power demand. Normally, a low power backup supply is employed for essential loads only, viz. critical hospitals and military loads. However, there always is a need of reliable power supply for residential and commercial applications during load shedding hours. This study proposes the use of hybrid energy system (HES) of photovoltaic (PV), battery storage system (BSS) and diesel generator (DG) to address the problem of load shedding for all types of loads. The localized installation of HES will ensure continuous power supply, improve energy efficiency and minimize the cost of the electricity. To achieve these tasks, the HES is designed to operate in three modes namely, grid mode, renewable energy source (RES) mode and the DG mode. The proposed system can also inject surplus PV power to grid to support the grid operation. The findings of this paper will help policymakers to ascertain the effectiveness of HES to eradicate the energy crisis in the affected countries.