Comparative Analysis of Different Hybrid Electricity Generating System Configurations for a Remote Community

This research paper centered on the comparative analysis of different hybrid electricity generating system configurations in rural communities of Iyi Ochioto and Ochima in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, with emphasis on the techno-economic viability of an optimal hybrid energy system. The community average daily electrical load demand was determined to be 451.32Kwh/day with a peak demand of 52.65kW. Analytical methods was used for designing energy resources such as solar, wind, biomass and diesel generator combined with battery storage for optimal sizing of system components. Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables Software (HOMER Pro) was used to carry out simulation and optimization to determine the system performance and techno- economics parameters like Net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE), CO2 emission etc. Five different system configurations were analyzed for technical feasibility and economic viability. Results obtained indicated that three of the selected optimal system configurations, Solar-PV/ Diesel –generator/ Biomass/ Battery-Bank (SDBiB), Diesel-generator/ Biomass/ Battery-Bank (DBiB) and Solar-PV/Diesel-generator/Biomass/wind Turbine/Battery-Bank (SDBiWB) had minimal CO2 emission and were the most cost effective and their solutions were preferred. The SDBiB has a net present cost of $503,451.30, cost of energy of $0.2361/ Kwh, RPF of 95.81 % and CO2 emission 6,946 kg/yr. The DBiB had a total NPC of $514,287.00, COE of $0.242/Kwh, RPF 96.1 %, and CO2 emission of 5,613kg/yr while the SDBiWB had a total NPC of $565,864.50.COE $0.266/Kwh, RPF of 96.1 % and CO2 emission of 6,814kg/yr.  The outcome of the research can serves as an input to assist power system planners to intensify effort in electric power production through energy mix, especially in the remote location in the country.