Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hybrid Mini-grid in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Bangladesh

Abstract

A techno-economic analysis of a hybrid PV-Diesel mini-grid system in rural Bangladesh is presented in this study. The case-study is done using data from Patar Char village in Patuakhali district of Bangladesh, considering non-electrified households. HOMER simulation compares three system designs: Hybrid PV-Diesel-Battery, PV-Battery, and Diesel-Battery. Hybrid PV-Diesel-Battery system yielded optimum results in terms of the lower cost of energy (COE) of around USD 0.182/kWh. Overall carbon emission of this system is around 307 kg/year, which is lower than the Diesel-Battery system, but higher than PV-Battery system. A sensitivity analysis of PV-Diesel-Battery system is performed, by considering and varying some of the indicators to prove system sustainability and feasibility. The impact of price variability in diesel price, discount rate on COE, and total net present cost (TNPC) showed that PV-Diesel-Battery system is the most feasible option. Finally, a SWOT analysis is also presented to address participatory planning strategy of developing the hybrid energy system.