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Abstract:

Isolated or Stand-alone power systems with the use of renewable energy sources have become cost-effective and a convenient option for areas where the grid connection is neither available nor feasible. A hybrid combination of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) is considered to be the best-suited alternative to an expensive grid extension for remote areas around the world.

This research focuses on creating a model for electricity generation from a mix of renewable resources (hydro, solar, and biomass) using FUTO in Ihiagwa village as a case study to satisfy the electrical needs of a new ICT building. Applying HOMER software, this research presents an analysis for choosing the most economical hybrid RET system and compares it with conventional grid extension.

Firstly, the hourly load demand pattern of the building is studied and suitably modeled. With HOMER simulations, the optimized sizing of hydropower (HP), solar photovoltaic (SPV), and biogas (methane) generator systems are obtained. On the basis of the minimized Cost Of Energy (COE) generation obtained, the economic distance limit (EDL) is calculated. The hybrid RET system selected by HOMER for this load center scenario from the various other prospective combinations of the sensitivity analysis is a combination of a 67.4KW HP, 5KW SPV, 1KW biogas generator and 1 battery with a COE of $0.131/Kwh (i.e. N20.96) giving an EDL of about 5.8Km.



Keywords: Hybrid, Photovoltaics, Biomass, Biogas, Stand-Alone, Off-Grid, Renewable, Energy,Hydro.