Feasibility of an integrated renewable energy system (PV-wind-hydro-biogas) by HOMER optimization.

Abstract

A study to investigate the feasibility of a hybrid or integrated energy system for UTM Ecopark facilities by HOMER Pro optimization is presented in this paper. The renewable energy investigated are solar PV, wind, pico hydro, and biogas which their sources are found to be significantly available in the eco-park. Data collection for renewable energy sources is gathered either from meteorological data (solar irradiation, wind), literature (UTM river flow rate), and interviewing UTM Ecopark's facilities users (feedstock for biogas, electricity demand). Simulation is done by optimizing the renewable energy system by minimizing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) that can fully supply the electricity demand, for two combinations of energy types: 1) PV, wind, hydro (PV-W-H) and 2) PV, wind, hydro, biogas (PV-W-H-B). The PV-W-H represents a zero emission energy system but at a higher LCOE (RM 0.919/kWh), while PV-W-H-B has the lowest LCOE (RM 0.52/kWh) but produces 62 kg CO2e/year. PV-W-H-B configuration's net present cost is RM 130k and PV-W-H's higher at RM 231k.