Abstract
Background: Schools typically have high diurnal fluctuation in electricity demand, with peak loads during daylight hours, which could be adequately met through harnessing solar renewable resources. This study demonstrates the strength of techno-economic assessment in selection and optimization of a grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system (HRES), utilizing local renewable resources to fulfil the daytime electricity demand for a school in northwest Indonesia. Methods: Three different scenarios are developed for optimizing the HRES configurations, comprising of PV panels, Wind turbine, Battery and Inverter. The following optimization parameters are usedâone, technological performance of the HRES, in terms of their energy output to fulfil the energy deficit; two, economic performance of the HRES, in terms of their net present cost (NPC) and payback periods. Results: A clear trade-off is noted between the level of complexity of the three HRES, their renewable electricity generation potentials, NPC and payback periods. Scenario II, comprising of Solar PV and Inverter only, is found to be the most feasible and cost-effective HRES, with the optimized configuration of 245 kW PV capacity and 184 kW inverter having the lowest initial capital cost of US$ 51,686 and a payback time of 4 years to meet the schoolâs annual electricity load of 114,654 kWh. Its NPC is US$ â138,017 at the 20th year of installation. The negative value in year 20 is achieved through the sale of 40% of the renewable energy back to the grid. Conclusions: Techno-economic assessment can provide useful decision support in designing HRES relying on solar energy to serve predominantly daytime school electricity requirements in tropical countries.
Highlights
The Indonesian government has set target to sustainably harness energy by increasing the share of new and renewable resources in primary energy supply to reach 23% by 2025 and 31% by 2050 [1,2]
A clear trade-off is noted between the level of complexity of the three hybrid renewable energy system (HRES), their renewable electricity generation potentials, net present cost (NPC) and payback periods
Techno-economic assessment can provide useful decision support in designing HRES relying on solar energy to serve predominantly daytime school electricity requirements in tropical countries
Summary
The Indonesian government has set target to sustainably harness energy by increasing the share of new and renewable resources in primary energy supply to reach 23% by 2025 and 31% by 2050 [1,2]. The majority of the Indonesian people are still not fully aware of the bountiful solar resources which can be harnessed for sustainable energy generation [5]. This is contradictory to the fact that increased heat stress among the local population has reduced the Indonesian annual GDP by 6%, attributed mainly to physiological impacts and reduced labor productivity owing to its close proximity to the Equator [6]. This study demonstrates the strength of techno-economic assessment in selection and optimization of a grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system (HRES), utilizing local renewable resources to fulfil the daytime electricity demand for a school in northwest Indonesia
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