Techno-economic analysis of offshore wind/photovoltaic farm in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia targets to supply 20 percent of total electricity generation by 2025 from renewable energy sources. The existing renewable energy mix in Malaysia includes photovoltaic (PV), biomass, and small hydro. Like many other renewable sources, wind energy has been considered in Malaysia since the 1990s. This is because wind energy is well-known for its high efficiency and can be a major energy contributor to total renewable energy globally. However, the onshore wind energy speed in Malaysia is relatively low, thus restraining it from becoming one of the potential energy mix sources in Malaysia. Unlike onshore wind, offshore wind is very well known as having a higher average speed and as Malaysia is surrounded by the South China Sea, this raises its opportunity to harvest the energy from offshore wind sources. At present, there are limited studies regarding the potential use of offshore wind energy in Malaysia. Acknowledging many advantages of the hybrid wind energy system, this study is done to perform techno-economic analysis of the grid-connected offshore wind-PV hybrid system by using simulation software. This includes the design of the optimized offshore wind-PV hybrid system with minimum net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (COE) based on Malaysia’s average residence load and the sensitivity analysis of offshore wind-PV hybrid system based on variations in several key parameters. The area for offshore wind energy systems is selected by applying the system's constraints. Based on the constraints, there are four possible locations in Malaysia for harvesting the energy, with coordinates (2.36, 110.28) as Zone 1, (3.94, 103.75) as Zone 2, (5.73, 103.19) as Zone 3, and (6.57, 117.90) as Zone 4. The simulation is done by using HOMER software and the optimized sizing design is selected based on two factors which are the lowest NPC and COE value. The comparison between the zone’s analysis results is done to know the factor that caused the difference in economic and system operation aspects. The sensitivity analysis is done to know the effect of three parameters which are load, interest rate, and net enrgy metering, NEM value on technical and/or economic aspects output of the system. The result demonstrates that all the parameters greatly impact the system’s operation and cost. Thus, all parameters must be included in consideration of implementing the grid connected offshore wind turbine-PV farm in Malaysia.