Techno-Economic analysis of hybrid renewable energy systems for rural area energization in Pakistan

Pakistan is having an energy crisis since long. It is very hard to fulfill the present energy demand with available energy resources. In this paper, we are designing simulation-based hybrid systems using Photovoltaic, Wind, and biomass and comparing them for the best optimum result on the basis of net present cost NPC, Levelized cost of energy COE and energy payback period. The load demand of the locals is calculated through the survey. Hybrid optimization model for electric renewables HOMER Pro is used for the optimization of hybrid systems. Four strategies are employed based on the availability of resources. In the first strategy, we use solar and biomass as an energy resource to feed the community. From optimization results it is found the most expensive system with total NPC of Rs 18.4 M, Levelized COE to be Rs 18.09, and the payback period of 2.79 years. In the second strategy, we are using wind and biomass resources. Here, NPC and Levelized COE reduce to Rs 17.8 M and Rs 17.53 respectively with the payback period of 2.28 years. In the third strategy, we are employing solar and wind resources. In this, HOMER lower down NPC and Levelized COE to Rs 14.5 M and Rs 14.87 respectively but increases the payback period to 9.10 years. In the last strategy, we are using all available resources PV, wind, and biomass. Here, Levelized COE reduces to Rs 14.40 while a minor increase occurs in the NPC from the third strategy i.e. Rs 14.6 M with the payback period of just 2.54 years. Based on the NPC, COE and the payback period, HOMER executes the optimization for all strategies and found the first strategy to be the least feasible and last strategy the most feasible.