Hybrid Energy Systems: Optimal Resource Determination and Cost Evaluation Using Homer Grid Software

Abstract

This paper proposes a resource evaluation and validation study of a grid-connected hybrid power system whichtends to maximize the use of renewable energy generation with energy storage systems while minimizing thetotal system cost. The HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) Grid software is adoptedin this study to find the optimal configuration of solar energy sources with battery storage systems to delivercomplementary electricity supply to satisfy AC primary load of 68.55 kWh/day with a 10.2 kW peak loaddemand to a building on a University campus premises located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The resultsobtained from simulations showed a list of feasible resource configurations for the hybrid system. However,the most optimal/economical configuration is a grid-connected Solar PV-Gasoline system with a least cost ofenergy (COE) at ₦93.83/kWh and 6.7% renewable energy fraction.