Design and Performance Analysis of a Hybrid Floating Photovoltaic-Hydro System for Sustainable Institutional Energy Supply

Persistent unreliable electricity supply to most Nigerian universities has led to wide spread reliance on diesel powered generators. This necessitates sustainable solutions that are economic and climate-friendly. This study investigates the technical and economic feasibility of a hybrid floating photovoltaic-hydro (FPV-Hydro) energy system as a sustainable alternative to power the engineering faculty of the University of Abuja, leveraging the Giri Wuye River’s hydropower potential within the university campus and FPV technology. The methodology employed in the study included a comprehensive load demand analysis of the faculty complex, hybrid system configuration, component sizing, system simulation and optimisation using the HOMER software. The results of the study revealed a peak load demand of 75 kW, guiding the selection of a 50 kW micro-Francis turbine with a design capacity of 50 kW at a 10 m head and the FPV array sized to deliver 25 kW. Battery energy storage was sized as 200 kWh using two 100-kWh Gildemeister Cellcube FB 20-100 battery units , ensuring reliable supply during low irradiance periods. System optimization using HOMER Pro identified the most cost-effective configuration, yielding a net present cost (NPC) of ₦ 2.62 billion (US $2.79million) and a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of ₦ 52.60 /kWh (US $0.056/kWh), with renewable energy contributing about 92.5% of required supply. The proposed FPV-Hydro system demonstrates technical and economic viability for institutional power supply, reducing operational costs and emissions while enhancing water quality by lowering algal growth. This design offers a replicable framework for sustainable energy supply to Nigerian universities and other Educational Institution