Refining hybrid energy systems: elevating PV sustainability, cutting emissions, and maximizing battery cost efficiency in remote areas

Energy storage devices are necessary for a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) because of the varying power output of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules caused by fluctuating sunshine intensity. Since they guarantee a steady and dependable flow of electricity across the grid, batteries play a crucial role in stabilizing the energy supply. The technical, financial, and environmental advantages of combining batteries with PV systems are highlighted in this paper. These advantages include less CO₂ emissions, improved energy stability, and cheaper grid operating costs. Proper placement, sizing, and design of PV units can maximize these advantages, promoting sustainable energy production compared to traditional renewable energy sources (RES). The paper also evaluates the progress in PV and battery technologies, alongside the challenges of integrating them with grid systems in electric power networks, emphasizing their critical role in reducing environmental impacts and advancing energy sustainability. The study further investigated 11 HRES configurations using HOMER Pro to analyze cost optimization, energy distribution, and renewable energy integration. Cases 1 to 4 relied solely on grid power, delivering stable electricity with zero unmet loads but emitting 2593 to 2599 kg of CO₂ annually, with renewable fractions (RF) below 0.3 %. Adding PV systems and batteries in Cases 5 to 8 reduced emissions to 2441 kg/year and increased RF to 6.1 %, but operational and replacement costs raised the Net Present Cost (NPC). Off-grid configurations (Cases 9 to 11) achieved 100 % renewable energy, eliminated CO₂ emissions, and significantly improved energy efficiency (EE). However, these configurations incurred higher NPC and operational costs due to increased reliance on PV systems and batteries. The findings highlight the need to advance hybrid renewable energy systems while striking a balance between economic viability and environmental sustainability.