Hybrid Renewable Power Systems for Generation of Own Power by Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises

Abstract

Decentralized power generation, from renewables, is an attractive option for the future energy transition. Through a case study, the techno-economic feasibility to produce own power from distributed renewable to de-carbonize the operations of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) was critically analysed. The case study was performed on one of the leading printing outfits of Sri Lanka. Solar photovoltaic (PV) and biomass gasification systems are the most cost-efficient and easy to operate technologies for grid-connected, small-scale power generation, at present, for the context. Grid integration has been found as a major challenge, in both technical and economic parameters of the project. The low capacity factor of solar PV and complexity of the supply chain for biomass power systems are critical to the respective technologies. A hybrid Solar PV-Biomass gasification power plant would have superior techno-economic performances with lower environmental impact than stand-alone systems. An equal share of the net power capacity between the technologies was obtained as the most suitable combination for the proposed hybrid power plant. A net carbon dioxide reduction of more than eighty percent of the operations of the SMEs is feasible. Socio-political factors also have a high impact on overall viability of such small-scale systems.