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Contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Hybrid2?
A: Hybrid2 is a combined probabilistic/time series computer model for the
simulation and analysis of hybrid power system performance. It features
a graphical user interface where the user can easily define the components
of the system, the input data, the control strategy, and the economic parameters,
all with the ease of a windows-based application.
Q: What is a hybrid power system?
A: Hybrid power systems are designed for the generation of electrical power
using multiple power sources, often in remote or off-grid locations. A
typical hybrid power system might include AC diesel generators, DC diesel
generators, an AC distribution system, a DC distribution system, loads,
renewable power sources (wind turbine generators, photovoltaic panels,
hydroelectric generators), energy storage, power converters, rotary converters,
coupled diesel systems, dump loads, load management options, or a supervisory
control system.
Q: Who might be interested in using Hybrid2?
A: The model is well suited to aid in the development and design of hybrid
power systems when the pertinent data has been collected at the site of
interest. However, anyone who is generally interested in renewable energy,
remote power systems, power systems design, or computer modeling can easily
run simulations with user-defined, or supplied components and projects.
Q: How can I get a copy of Hybrid2?
A: A demo version of Hybrid2 is available here.
To get the full version, contact Ian Baring-Gould at hybrid2@nrel.gov.
The address is:
NREL/NWTC
1617 Cole Blvd.
Golden, CO 80401-3393
USA
Telephone: 1-303-384-7021
Facsimile: 1-303-384-6901
Q: Where can I get more information
on Hybrid2?
A: The theory manual for Hybrid2 is available on the documentation page.
You can view these files with Acrobat
Reader. You can also contact technical support at hybrid2@ecs.umass.edu.
Q: Can I run Hybrid2 under Windows
95/98/NT?
A: Hybrid2 works best under Windows 95/98/NT if you create a Hybrid2 directory
in your root directory, i.e.:\Hybrid2\.
Q: What is the most recent version
of Hybrid2?
A: Version 1.3b. To find out how to get it, contact technical support at hybrid2@ecs.umass.edu.
Q: What components can Hybrid2 model?
A: The components that can be modeled include wind turbine generators,
photovoltaic arrays, fossil fuel generators, batteries, power converters,
dump loads, and controllers.
Q: What modules are necessary to define in order
to run a simulation?
A: It is necessary to define the Loads, Site/Resource, and Power System
modules. The Base Case module is necessary if you want to compare the results
of a hybrid power system with a conventional, fossil-fuel powered system.
The Economics module is where the user enters the parameters necessary
to determine the cost of a particular system.
Q: What types of results are given for a simulation
and how can I view them?
A: The output of Hybrid2 can be specified before running a simulation.
The power system results are summarized and written to a text file, which
can be easily viewed in the text editor supplied with the program by clicking
on the Results menu. Additionally, a time series, and extended time series
file can be generated and the results viewed graphically by clicking on
the Results menu.
Q: What do I do if my wind, solar
or temperature data has missing sections?
A: The latest version of Hybrid2 features a Gap Filler program accessed
by clicking on the Help menu. It is designed to fill gaps that often occur
when collecting data over long periods of time. Because Hybrid2 steps through
each data point in the time series, it is necessary to have the same number
of points in all relevant data files. With this purpose in mind, Gap Filler
was designed to synthesize the missing data points in a statistically accurate
way. For more information, consult the Theory Manual.
Q: What rate is used for O&M
cost?
A: The rate used for O&M cost is $/kWh.
Q: How many deferrable loads can
Hybrid2 accommodate?
A: 20.
Q: What can I do about Error 3024?
A: Install Hybrid2 in the directory "C:/Hybrid2/" not "C:/Program Files/Hybrid2/".
Q: Is installed dump load counted
under capacity?
A: Yes, this is a bug. It will be corrected in the next version.
Q: What is discount rate?
A: This is a measure of an investor's preference for the time value of
money. For example, if you think the value of money will decrease 8% next
year, the discount rate is 8%.
Q: Which inputs have the greatest
effect on charging and discharging losses?
A: Inputs which will have the greatest effect include:
1. Inverter and rectifier losses and efficiency
2. Values in the 'Battery voltage' tab of the battery module. This
affects the voltage drop losses. The less difference between charging and
discharging curve, the less the loss will be.
Q: What date format does Hybrid2
require?
A: MM-DD-YY.
Changes made to Hybrid2 for the release of Version
1.2
New Features
Gap Filler
The Gap Filler is used to fill in gaps in wind, solar, temperature and
load data files that may have missing data. It uses a Markov Chain process
to fill the gaps in a statistically accurate way. It can be accessed from
the Help menu on the Project form. For a more complete description of the
theory behind the Gap Filler, please see the Theory Manual.
Bug Fixes
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Problem |
Fix |
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There was a problem with the curve fitting function on the insolation data graph. |
The graphics for insolation are now displayed correctly. |
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The grid control for inputting the Power Curve on the Wind Turbine form was not working correctly. |
The grid control is working properly. |
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Some of the Save and Open dialogs did not have the Cancel button working correctly. |
Now the Cancel button works correctly on all dialogs. |
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The graphical interface had several small problems, mostly with formatting. |
All known problems were corrected. |
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Numbers in the Wind Resource parameter window weren't showing properly and also were being changed constantly due to unit change. |
This has been corrected. |
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There was a problem with the numbering order of the diesel generators. |
The numbers correspond to the correct diesel. |
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There was an overflow error reported for low load simulations. |
Changed variable type from single to double in several places. |
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There was a problem with the battery overcharging and over discharging. |
This problem was corrected. |
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The Gap Filler crashed if the data was not delimited with spaces. |
A class module has been added to deal with most types of delimiting. |
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The number of data points allowed for each simulation was too small. |
More than 36,000 points can now be used in Hybrid2. |
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In the Detailed Output, the energy balance was non-zero. |
The problem was with the shaft bus and has been corrected. |
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The Detailed Output was showing negative values for Voltage. |
The problem was caused by the Maximum Power Point Tracker and has been fixed. |
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During simulations, a message box would appear indicating negative Weibull parameters. |
This message box no longer appears. |
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The Excess Dump column in the Detailed Output had negative values. |
This has been corrected. |
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The solar insolation values in the early morning and late afternoon were too high. |
This problem was fixed. |
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The calculation of Load and Losses in both the Summary and Detailed Output was not correct. |
This problem occurred when a Rotary Converter was used and has been corrected. |
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The date in the Summary Output was incorrect. |
This problem was fixed. |
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