DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2018.50
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1892
Date of Award
6-2018
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering
Department/Program
Electrical Engineering
Advisor
NFN Taufik
Abstract
The Mbesese Initiative for Sustainable Development (MISD) is a group aiming to help eliminate extreme poverty in Africa by creating educational opportunity. One project that the group is currently doing is to build Same Polytechnic College (SPC) in Tanzania. As part of the project, this thesis aims to study and analyze the electrical power system and distribution for the college. Based on the projected load profile of the college and high potential for solar generation in Tanzania, several different power systems utilizing local utility AC electricity and/or photovoltaic (PV) DC electricity are explored and simulated for their feasibility and performance. Analysis of each design is presented and compared to determine the most viable system based on reliability, costs, and space. Results of the study indicate that over designing the DC system may generate wasteful energy while under designing the DC system may cause the overall system to rely heavily on the AC power grid. Ultimately, this thesis demonstrates that integrating a 58.9% DC system mixed with AC system offers the highest payback while efficiently utilizing the PV system, the battery system, and provided land.