Optimal Sizing of PV/Wind/Battery Hybrid System for Rural School in South Iraq

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Abstract

Unexpected fluctuations in diesel prices, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and global warming have prompted many countries to develop new energy policies that encourage the use of alternative energy sources. Renewable energy resources such as solar and wind energy are clean and can be used extensively. Combining these sources with storage batteries can result in better, cleaner, economical and more reliable results compared to a single source. In this paper, the techno-economic feasibility of using an integrated electricity generation system for a remote rural school in southern Iraq was studied. The HOMER program was used in this study. The average life expectancy of the proposed system is 20 years. The results show that the cheapest systems are those with relevant optimal values of 11 PV and 6 WT, utilizing 49 batteries and 8 converters at a cost of US$0.527 per kWh; NPC rated at US$80,097; O&M cost of US$1,040/year; IC of US$54,250; and RF of 100%.