Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Energy in Malaysia Remote Rural Area Using HOMER Software

Abstract

Renewable energy resources can be seen as an alternative energy to capture the remote rural electrification's problems. Installing and operating a renewable energy generation is not difficult but it requires cautious step as to make sure maximum use of energy can improve the electrification rate. In this work, the evaluation of potential of solar, wind and biomass energy for three locations in Malaysia's rural remote area including Pontian, Kerteh and Teluk Intan was performed using HOMER software. The results revealed that with the same rating and operating hours of biomass generator, all locations have high empty fruit bunch (EFB) biomass potential and is able to fulfill the load demand with equal annual electricity production of 601,979 kWh/year and a low cost of electricity (COE) of $0.342/kWh. Meanwhile, Pontian generates the highest annual solar electricity generation of 543,509 kWh/year due to the large size of 400 kW PV panel of the system. However, the COE produced is expensive. On the other hand, with the highest solar irradiation received in Kerteh, the PV stand-alone system requires lower size of 350 kW PV panel but at the same time is able to fulfill the demand with the lowest COE of $0.442/kWh among other locations. Finally, wind potential is not feasible in Malaysia due to low average wind speed recorded. However, the largest amount of wind output power of 16,625 kWh/year was generated in Kerteh which recorded as the highest wind speed and, in the end, produced the cheapest COE of $0.474/kWh compared to other locations.