Techno-economic optimization and Strategic assessment of sustainable energy solutions for Powering remote communities

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify the optimal configuration of a diesel generator with a hybrid renewable energy system that can sustainably meet the energy demands of a rural area. Some of the main challenges of using diesel generators to supply the required electric load in remote areas are the high operating cost, unmet electric load, carbon dioxide emissions, very high total net cost, and the quality of electricity. This study, which combined diesel generators with renewable resources, accurately analyzed eight different system outputs from the hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources software. The analysis considered factors such as site-specific conditions, fuel costs, and solar radiation levels. The software prefers a load following strategy over a cycle charging strategy. This load following strategy involves combining a diesel generator with renewable energy sources, specifically configured as a combination of photovoltaic cells, a diesel generator, a wind turbine, and a battery. This configuration, with a total net cost of approximately $180,065.43 and a levelized cost of energy of $0.32, is identified as the most effective configuration chosen. Operating cost, carbon dioxide emission, and total net present cost are reduced by 53.17 %, 60.46 %, and 30.02 %, respectively. It highlighted the combination of diesel generator with renewable energies and their role in promoting environmental sustainability. By providing 100 % of the load demand, it increased the quality of electricity such that the unmet electric load is reduced to zero.

Keywords

• Optimization
• Economic feasibility
• Emissions reduction
• Load following strategy
• Cycle charging strategy
• Operating cost