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 This hybrid system has a 1.8 kW PV system and a 5.5 kW Lister-Petter 1 cylinder air cooled diesel powered generator. The hybrid system was manufactured by Sunwize Technologies, Inc. |
Hybrid power systems are combinations of two or more energy conversion devices (e.g., electricity generators or storage devices), or two or more fuels for the same device, that when integrated, overcome limitations that may be inherent in either.
Examples of hybrid power systems include:
- Wind generation combined with diesel generation
- Photovoltaic generation combined with battery storage or diesel generation
- Fuel cell generation combined with microturbine generation
Hybrid systems can produce synergistic benefits in which the "whole is greater than the sum of its parts". Potential benefits of hybrid power technologies include:
- Higher efficiency — Incorporating heat, power, and highly-efficient devices (fuel cells, advanced materials, cooling systems, etc.) can increase overall efficiency and conserve energy for a hybrid system when compared with individual technologies.
- Enhanced reliability — Achieving higher reliability can be accomplished with redundant technologies and/or energy storage. Some hybrid systems typically include both, which can simultaneously improve the quality and availability of power.
- Lower emissions — Hybrid systems can be designed to maximize the use of renewables, resulting in a system with lower emissions than traditional fossil-fueled technologies.
- Acceptable cost — As a result of the higher efficiency and potential use of renewables, hybrid systems can have an acceptable cost on a per unit energy basis relative to fossil-fueled power plants.
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