Design Analysis of an Optimal Microgrid System for the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources at a University Campus

Abstract

The integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) is a strategic goal in Saudi Arabia. The energy source diversification plan comprises the penetration of various technologies, including solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy. In this research, an optimal microgrid system design is proposed and analyzed at the Islamic University of Madinah. The research intends to facilitate the decision-making process in the incorporation of RESs in Saudi universities. A pilot project has been established at the Faculty of Engineering and the measured load profile has been incorporated. Three alternatives are investigated, and their technical and economic performance is determined (i.e., PV system, wind system, and hybrid system). To enhance the accuracy of the simulated models, on-the-ground weather data have been utilized to formulate a typical meteorological year profile. The results demonstrate that a PV system of 1.5 MW installed capacity can cover up to 3.03% of the university’s annual electrical consumption, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.051 USD/kWh. The PV alternative can generate annual energy of 2.68 GWh with a capacity factor of 20.2% and a simple payback period of 18.6 years. The wind energy system has a capacity factor of 1.1 MW and yields a higher ratio of energy production to installed capacity, owing to a higher capacity factor at 29.5%, and annual energy of 2.71 GWh. However, due to the higher initial cost and insufficiency of wind resources at the proposed location, this wind energy alternative results in higher LCOE at 0.064 USD/kWh and a simple payback period of 23.6 years. The hybrid alternative facilitates the integration of diverse RESs. It has a capacity factor of 1.37 MW, leading to an annual generation of 3.27 GWh and a renewable fraction of 3.7%. The LCOE of the hybrid option is determined to be 0.061 USD/kWh and the simple payback period at 20.7 years. All alternatives help in the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitric oxide (NOx) between 0.11 million kg and 54.6 million kg annually. Each of the systems can provide opportunities at the technical, economic, and environmental levels. The implications of this research facilitate Saudi universities in supporting the integration of RESs, considering the strategic goals of Saudi Arabia.

Optimizing Renewable Energy Integration through Innovative Hybrid Microgrid Design: A Case Study of Najran Secondary Industrial Institute in Saudi Arabia

“…The results showcased a sustainable energy solution with a peak electrical load of 9.958 MW, a net present cost (NPC) of USD 30M, and a levalized cost of energy (LCOE) at 0.00274 USD/kWh. The authors of [10] found that integrating renewable energy sources (RESs), specifically solar PV and wind energy, helped with achieving strategic objectives in Saudi Arabia. An optimal MG system for the Islamic University of Madinah was studied with the following three alternatives analyzed: PV, WT, and hybrid systems.…”

Utilizing solar photovoltaic systems in educational facilities to achieve a zero bill campus: The Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University case

“…The LCOE for the other institutions was as follows: Tabuk's is $0.0714; Sattam's is $0.0753; and Jeddah's is $0.0702. At the Islamic University of Madinah in KSA, AlKassem et al (2022) examined the design of a microgrid system. For the PV system, wind system, and hybrid system, three possibilities were examined, and their technical and economic performance was evaluated.…”

Optimal Scheduling of Hybrid Sustainable Energy Microgrid: A Case Study for a Resort in Sokhna, Egypt

“…There are many tools that can be used to obtain the optimal solution [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. Among them is a powerful software tool to optimize hybrid renewables systems introduced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States and is called the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables.…”