Optimization and comparative analysis for a stand-alone hybrid model of PV, wind turbine, and natural gas generator system in remote area – A case study in Belu

Abstract

Abstract This paper proposes a hybrid model of photovoltaic (PV) and wind power generation based on the off-grid system for the rural area. The off-grid system is considered more suitable to be applied in the remote area since it has a lack of access to the closest grid network. Belu (9°10.5‘N and 124°59.4'E), Indonesia, is chosen particularly as the model due to its high potential resources of renewable energy. The data on wind and solar resources are obtained from Meteonorm. The system schematic consists of the wind turbine, photovoltaic (PV), battery, converter and electrical load. A small-size natural gas generator is used as the back-up. The data is processed by using HOMER Optimizer based on the derivative-free algorithm. The total Net Present Cost (NPC) and the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for the optimized system configuration are $95,828 and $0.106, respectively. The performance of the system is represented by the percentage value of the excess electricity and unmet electric load which are 13% and 0.39%, respectively. The carbon dioxide produced is only 10,070 kg/year. In general, the optimized system is much better compared to the generator-only system based on the economical, electrical, and environmental aspects.