Comparison of the Grid and Off-Grid Hybrid Power Systems for Application in University Buildings in Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigerian Universities rely on weak and unreliable fossil-based electric grids with diesel engine generators (DEG) as a backup. However, there is a potential to light up the campuses using power systems derived from primary renewable power systems (RPS) like wind turbine (WT) and solar photovoltaic (PV), that can be on or off-grid to improve the energy mix and duration reliably. This study presents the comparative analysis of the optimal hybrid grid and off-grid systems (OGS & OOGS) for serving the demand load of university buildings in four climatic regions of Nigeria. HOMER Pro is used to design and select the systems based on minimal net present cost (NPC) and cost of electricity (COE). The impact of a minimal renewable fraction of 95% on the optimal system architecture (OSA) and COE is studied for both grid and off-grid modes. Also, sensitivity analysis of the impact of key variables on performance for the sites is carried out. It is found that the OGS in the four regions is PV/Converter (Conv), while for the OOGS, it is PV/WT/DEG/battery (BB)/Conv except in Port Harcourt (PH), where it is PV/DEG/BB/Conv. The COE for the OGS in the Savana and monsoon climes of Enugu and PH are 10 and 19% more than that in the warm-semi arid climate zones of Maiduguri and Kano, which is approximately 0.09 $/kWh. The COE ($/kWh) for the OOGS is 0.21 in Maiduguri, 0.245 in Kano, 0.275 in Enugu and 0.338 in PH. An obligatory 95% RF changes the architecture and increases COE in all the locations except Maiduguri, with a slightly improved COE but higher NPC like other locations. It is established that the suggested hybrid system is beneficial and feasible for supplying more reliable and clean energy to educational buildings in different Nigerian locations.

HOMER optimization of standalone PV/Wind/Battery powered hydrogen refueling stations located at twenty selected French cities

“…On another hand, Regarding the validity of the HOMER model, the software has been widely used and validated by numerous studies, both numerically and experimentally. Several validation studies have demonstrated the capability of HOMER and its use in research projects, while allowing the programmer to compare various design architectures on the basis of their technical and financial merits (Chouaib et al 2017, Alsafasfeh 2015, Barakat et al 2016, Çetinbaş et al 2019, Alshammari et al 2018, Hassane et al 2022, Khamharnphol et al 2023, Diyoke et al 2023, Mahmoudi et al 2023, Ariae et al 2019). Additionally, HOMER has been validated against multiple software and techniques, as for example in the study of Milosavljević et al 2022.…”

Energy-Economic-Environmental Analysis of On-Grid Solar System for Electricity and Hydrogen Production at Homemade Scale: Effect of Different Shades

“…HOMER is a research software used globally as a guide for optimal planning and evaluation of of-grid [18][19][20][21][22] and ongrid [23][24][25][26] energy systems. Based on its reliability, planning consistency, and intuitive interface, many studies have used this software [27][28][29][30][31]. Te 20-year average climate data for solar irradiance [32][33][34] was achieved from the NASA website.…”