Optimal renewable power generation systems for Busan metropolitan city in South Korea

Abstract

The metropolitan cities of developed countries comprise more than 50% of the global population and consume over 60% of the world's energy. Many governments plan to enhance their energy infrastructure and the electricity supply–demand reliability of their energy sources. Among them, South Korea's government has developed electricity generation facilities, most of which use renewable resources such as photovoltaic and wind energy. This study determines the optimal renewable electricity generation configuration for one of the largest metropolitan cities in South Korea, Busan metropolitan city. A simulation using 2013 Busan electricity demand data produces this optimal configuration, which includes photovoltaic panels, wind facilities, converters, and batteries with $0.399 of COE (Cost of Electricity) and 100% of renewable fractions. Both the study's practical limitations and implications are discussed.