An Optimized Off-grid Renewable Micro-Grid Design and Feasibility Analysis for Remote Industries of Gadoon Swabi (Pakistan)

Abstract

Some areas in Pakistan are still without excess to electricity and have no utility grid structure. Recently they are using diesel generators with fuel to fulfill their requirements. To overcome these problems, renewable energy technologies are capable of providing the electrical demand in those areas which have a shortage of electricity. Native renewable energy resources (RES) in remote areas can be utilized to establish a hybrid energy system that meets the electrical supplies of the community. This paper study a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) based on solar, wind, and diesel resources to meet different industrial needs of the selected area. Industrial Estate Gadoon (District Swabi), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan is selected as a project site where there is a continuous need for a reliable energy resource throughout the year. The HOMER optimization software is utilized to design and analyze the system with estimated load requirements and existing energy resources. Optimization of the hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) has been done by selecting the best components and cheap, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective alternative energy systems. The system proposed comes out to have a very low cost of energy (i.e., 0.0655 $ /kWh). Sensitivity analysis of the proposed system shows that with an increase of 10% in wind speed, COE, and the total operating cost are reduced. This HRES proposed in the study can prove its efficiency and reliability at any place with the same system conditions.