A Hybrid Renewable Energy System for a Longhouse

Abstract

Renewable energy sources (RES) have already become important alternative electric power generation technologies, due to the adverse impacts of global warming brought about by the use of fossil-fuelled generation. To combat such impacts, a hybrid energy system which consists of more than one source of renewable energy would replace conventional electricity generation for Malaysia’s longhouses existing in rural areas. Due to the limitation of electricity access in such areas, a hybrid system that consists of solar PV and wind energy as well as energy storage is proposed in this paper as a standalone RE system for electricity supply. Modelling of the hybrid system is then carried out based on selecting the most suitable system components, such as PV arrays, wind turbines, batteries and the inverter that satisfy both the technical and financial feasibility criteria. The model is then simulated using HOMER software to calculate the net present cost and the levelised cost of energy (LCOE). Results of the hybrid system simulation are compared with a diesel power generation, representing conventional energy supply, as the existing energy source. The comparison highlights the economic viability of the proposed hybrid system as a sustainable energy alternative to supply electricity to the longhouse.