Feasibility Study and Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar PV-Biomass Hybrid Power System: A Case Study of Kajola Village, Nigeria

Abstract

Efficient and sustainable electric power supply is needed for effective healthcare delivery, provision of quality education system, and building of impactful social/human infrastructures. Unrestricted access to reliable and affordable electricity will improve people's welfare and enhance quality healthcare delivery globally. The need to reduce the harmful impact of Greenhouse gas emissions along with its fossil fuel emissions have necessitated the need for the numerous research interests in low-carbon power generation systems. The feasibility and techno-economic analysis of an off-grid Solar Photovoltaic (PV)/Biomass (BG)/Diesel (DG)/Battery (BB) hybrid system for a rural village-Kajola, Nigeria was conducted in this paper. Renewable energy sources (RES) parameters such as irradiation data, biomass resources, and DG parameters were collected from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’ database, Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and manufacturers’ price lists respectively. The load demand assessment of the area was conducted and analyzed through the use of questionnaires. All the relevant data collected were used as input into the HOMER software. The optimal configuration is the PV-BG-BB combination. The Levelized Cost of Energy (COE) is $0.178/ kWh, with renewable energy fraction (RF) of 100%. This means that nearly all of the energy used by the hybrid system to meet the load is generated from renewable sources. The proposed solar PV/Biomass generator/Battery bank hybrid energy system can supply electricity to the village under consideration at an hourly average of approximately 52.7 kW and with an average daily energy need of 483.71 kWh. The study will serve as a template for all electric power system stakeholders and potential investors on the feasibility and optimal design of hybrid renewable energy system for rural electrification.