Abstract
This research paper centred on the comparative analysis of different hybrid electricity generating system configurations in rural communities of Iyi Ochioto and Ochi in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, with emphasis on the techno-economic viability of an optimal hybrid energy system. The community average daily electrical load demand was determined to be 451.32 kWh/day with a peak demand of 52.65 kW. Analytical methods were used for designing energy resources such as solar, wind, biomass, and diesel generator combined with battery storage for optimal sizing of system components. Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables Software (HOMER Pro) was used to carry out simulation and optimization to determine the system performance and techno- economic parameters like Net Present Cost (NPC), Cost of Energy (COE), CO2 emissions, etc. Five different system configurations were analyzed for technical feasibility and economic viability. The results obtained indicated that three of the selected optimal system configurations—Solar- PV/Diesel Generator/Biomass/Battery Bank (SDBiB), Diesel Generator/Biomass/Battery Bank (DBiB), and Solar-PV/Diesel Generator/Biomass/Wind Turbine/Battery Bank (SDBiWB)—had minimal CO2 emissions and were the most cost-effective, making them the preferred solutions. The SDBiB system had a net present cost of $503,451.30, a cost of energy of $0.2361/kWh, a renewable penetration factor (RPF) of 95.81%, and CO2 emissions of 6,946 kg/yr, the DBiB system had a total NPC of $514,287.00, a COE of $0.242/kWh, an RPF of 96.1%, and CO2 emissions of 5,613 kg/yr. and the SDBiWB system had a total NPC of $565,864.50, a COE of $0.266/kWh, an RPF of 96.1%, and CO2 emissions of 6,814 kg/yr were identified. The implication of this research serves as input to assist power system planners in intensifying efforts in electric power production through energy mix strategies, especially in remote locations in the country.
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