The effect of photovoltaic energy penetration on a Photovoltaic-Biomass-Lithium-ion off-grid system and system optimization for the agro-climatic zones of West Bengal

Abstract

The standalone Photovoltaic-Biomass-Li-ion Battery hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) is designed for the six agro-climatic zones of West Bengal, India’s largest rice-producing state. The solar radiation received in West Bengal ranges from 4 to 5.25 kWh/m2/day. The economic optimum solutions for the selected sites in the agro-climatic zones of West Bengal are designed using optimization approaches for an electrical load of 62.05 kWh/day and 13.53 kW peak for a constant biomass supply of 0.5 tonnes per day. The impact of the PV energy penetration in terms of the HRES’ battery capacity, the Net Present Cost, the Cost of Energy (COE), and CO2 emitted is explored. The optimization of the HRES is done for no unmet load and no capacity shortage with a minimum COE. The study reports a range of PV capacity for zero unmet loads and zero capacity shortage with COE in the range of 0.101–0.105 $/kWh for the sites. The HRES sensitivity analysis and comparison with the existing literature are also studied. Farmers, legislators, and the agricultural society would profit from this research, which might help West Bengal become self-sufficient and less reliant on grid electricity.