Off-grid PV/biomass/DG/battery hybrid renewable energy as a source of electricity for a farm facility

Abstract

Reliable, cost-effective energy systems are pivotal for sustainable development in the agricultural sector. Using the energy balance analysis of the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER), this study presents a techno-economic assessment of a hybrid renewable energy system for a farm facility. The energy system components considered in the analysis include solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, diesel generators, biomass, and battery storage. The results shows that ten feasible energy systems can technically power the typical farm facility, with a PV-Biomass-DG battery being the best in terms of the total net present cost. The PV-Biomass-DG-battery systems consist of 561.023 kW of PV, 88 kW of diesel generator, 10 kW of biomass, 81 kW of converter, and 584 batteries operated in a load-following mode. When the cost of energy (COE) of EA1 0.206325 $/kWh is compared to EA7 0.407681 $/kWh, a difference of $0.201356 will be saved for every kWh. Also, a comparison of the operating cost of EA1, $65,713.23 and the operating cost of EA7 $212,027.4 showed a margin of $146,314.17 being saved. Energy systems EA3 and EA4 had the lowest carbon dioxide production levels of 15.8 kg annually, respectively. The simple payback period metrics increased from EA1 to EA6 between 2.97 years to 6.99 years. The result of the study shows that adopting a low-carbon energy transition is technically and economically viable for the agricultural sector, especially in developing countries.