Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering (Dec 2025)
Optimal sizing of stand-alone hybrid energy system for development of rural and remote areas in Saudi Arabia
Abstract
The availability of energy and water, which are required for the activities of the main residents, is essential to the development of rural areas. The demand for power is rising as a result of the ongoing population growth and the desire to develop these isolated locations. However, the adoption of renewable energy sources increased as a result of the scarcity of fossil fuels in these isolated places and the expensive cost of grid extensions. To develop these isolated desert locations, a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) consisting of a diesel generator (DG), battery (B), wind turbine (WT), and solar panel (PV) is proposed. Battery storage and diesel generators operate as backup supplies in a stand-alone system, working in combination with other hybrid renewable energy system components. The expected electricity demands for ten dwellings in a small rural community in Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia, are provided by this system. The seasonal and daily load curves of the suggested community are assessed. This community needs an electrical load of 53 kW. The optimal hybrid energy system combination for the proposed site is determined using HOMER Software, harmonizing reliability, cost, and minimal use of DG sets. The simulation results indicate that, despite the significant potential of wind and solar energies at the selected site, it was not adequate for an independent wind turbine system and a PV system. Thus, a storage battery or another form of energy conversion, like a diesel generator, is required. The results demonstrated that the cost of energy (COE) produced by the optimal hybrid WT/PV/DG/B system is 0.213 $/kWh. The ideal system comprises 20 kW PV panels, 330 kW WT, 58 kW DG, and 158 batteries, which can meet the electric load. The net present cost (NPC) of this optimal system is $ 628,571. Including a storage capacity is essential in order to minimize how often the DG operates and the number of hours it runs.
