Analysis of Jamrao canal for potential of hybrid photovoltaic/hydrokinetic turbine system

Abstract

The rapid depletion of fossil fuels, increased electricity consumption, and global environmental concerns have led to shift electricity generation from non-renewable to renewable energy sources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is increasing with significant land requirement. To conserve this valuable land and water evaporation, PV panels are being installed on water bodies such as irrigation canals, lakes and dams. Researchers have found that hybrid power generation systems are more efficient than single power generating system, thus by covering canals with solar panels and harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water using hydrokinetic turbines (HKT), a massive amount of electricity can be generated. The Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software is used in this study to stimulate and acquire the best results and configuration for a hybrid PV/hydrokinetic system in district Sanghar of Sindh province in Pakistan. Model is designed by covering the 1 km canal surface with PV and the hydrokinetic turbines along with it. The overall potential for 1 km length of canal for both PV/hydrokinetic turbine system is found around 2.8 MW with payback period in 5.7 years and by saving 324.58 million cubic meters of water in terms of evaporation with annual saving in GHG emissions of 416,451.74 kg/yr.