Alhawsawi, E.Y.; Habbi, H.M.D.; Hawsawi, M.; Zohdy, M.A. Optimal Design and Operation of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Oakland University. Energies2023, 16, 5830.
Alhawsawi, E.Y.; Habbi, H.M.D.; Hawsawi, M.; Zohdy, M.A. Optimal Design and Operation of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Oakland University. Energies 2023, 16, 5830.
Alhawsawi, E.Y.; Habbi, H.M.D.; Hawsawi, M.; Zohdy, M.A. Optimal Design and Operation of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Oakland University. Energies2023, 16, 5830.
Alhawsawi, E.Y.; Habbi, H.M.D.; Hawsawi, M.; Zohdy, M.A. Optimal Design and Operation of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Oakland University. Energies 2023, 16, 5830.
Abstract
This research paper presents a comprehensive study on the optimal planning and design of hybrid renewable energy systems for microgrid (MG) applications at Oakland University. The HOMER Pro platform analyzes the technical economic and environmental aspects of integrating renewable energy technologies. The research also focuses on the importance of addressing unmet load in the MG system design to ensure the university's electricity demand is always met. By optimizing the integration of various renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic (PV), energy storage system (ESS), combined heat and power (CHP), and wind turbine energy (WT), the study aims to fulfill the energy requirements while reducing reliance on traditional grid sources and achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed MG configurations are designed to be scalable and flexible, accommodating future expansions, load demands changes, and technological advancements without costly modifications or disruptions. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of technical, economic, environmental factors, and addressing unmet load, this research contributes to the advancement of renewable energy integration within MG systems. It offers a complete guide for Oakland University and other institutions to effectively plan, design and implement hybrid renewable energy solutions, fostering a greener and more resilient campus environment. The findings demonstrate the potential for cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions, providing valuable guidance for Oakland University in its search of energy resilience and environmental surveillance which has a total peak load of 9.958MW. The HOMER simulation results indicate that utilizing all renewable resources, the estimated net present cost (NPC) is a minimum of 30M$, with a levelized energy cost (LCOE) of 0.00274$/kWh. In addition, the minimum desired load will be unmeted on some days of September.
Keywords
microgrid; combined heat and power; hybrid renewable energy; solar PV; Wind energy; energy storage
Subject
Engineering, Energy and Fuel Technology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
