Abstract
This paper proposed a standalone solar/wind/micro-hydro hybrid power generation system to electrify Ethiopian remote areas that are far from the national utility grid. The aim is that it will lead to the development of renewable energy sources, using a hybrid optimization model for energy renewables (HOMER) as an optimization and sensitivity tool and MATLAB as a design tool. The system uses 100% renewable energy. This system incorporated solar photo-voltaic (PV), wind turbines, micro-hydro systems, and battery systems. The net present cost of the system is $4,377,731, incorporating capital depreciation and levelized operation and maintenance costs. During the hybrid energy system’s lifetime, the cost of a grid extension power supply is $22.185 million, which is nearly $17,808,000 more than the cost of the proposed standalone system. So, developing solar/wind/micro-hydro hybrid power generation will save $17,808,000 versus extending the national utility grid. As a result of a thorough examination of renewable energy resources, standalone solar, wind, and micro-hydro hybrid power generation is a technically and economically viable option for the case study area of Maji town.
Highlights
Renewable energy is the main and most elemental element in our universe
hybrid optimization model for energy renewables (HOMER) generated a list of possible power sources, together with the overall net present value, starting capital cost, energy per kWh cost, overall system design, and element sizes that fit the load demand
The unit cost of a 132 kV single-circuit transmission line using optical fiber ground wire (OPGW) is $125,000 per kilometer
Summary
Renewable energy is the main and most elemental element in our universe. In particular, in less developed countries like Ethiopia, the significance of energy is vital. Because of the significant expense of transmission and the low load factor in these locations, expanding the electric grid to these places is not within the country’s economic capability These people rely on kerosene, which is becoming incredibly hard to obtain due to the high and steadily rising price of kerosene, as well as firewood, cow dung, and other conventional biomass resources, all of which contribute to deforestation and soil deterioration [4]. Extending the national grid to these areas is not within the economic capacity of the country, because of the high cost of transmission and the very low load factor in these areas To satisfy their energy needs, these people are using kerosene, which is becoming difficult to afford because of the high and day-to-day increasing price of kerosene, and fire wood, cow dung, and other traditional biomass resources, which are causing deforestation and soil degradation. There is a lack of quality education and good health care in the towns due to electricity shortage
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