A techno-economic feasibility analysis of hybrid renewable energy supply options for a grid-connected large office building in southeastern part of France

Abstract

This study gives emphasis to the techno-economic analysis of renovating the energy supply system of a grid-connected large office building through a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES). The study is focused on how to minimize electricity consumption from the grid by producing as much as possible renewable energy, and in addition to that it also observes the economic impacts of integrating green vehicles, such as hydrogen cars, electric cars etc. which are indispensable elements of a sustainable city, in the proposed system. The work initiated collecting the sites monthly electrical load data, climate data and associated monetary data with the aim of investigating a renewable energy supply system feasibility study. Three alternative scenarios are developed according to the project needs and these scenarios are modelled by a hybrid renewable energy system design tool. The study concludes with a direct comparison of the economic feasibility, renewable energy fraction, and emissions among all systems, looking for the more appropriate and sustainable solution. It is found that integrating solar photovoltaic (PV) curtails more than 43% electricity consumption of the office building from the utility grid. The result also shows that per unit cost of electricity of PV/Grid system to satisfy the load demand is around 10% lower compared to the utility grid tariff and furthermore, it minimizes over 90% emission compared to the total emission in the study site. This study will provide helpful insights to the relevant stakeholders and policy makers in the development of grid connected HRES system.