Optimization and Evaluation of a Stand-Alone Hybrid System Consisting of Solar Panels, Biomass, Diesel Generator, and Battery Bank for Rural Communities

Abstract

In a modern and globalized world, the advances in technology are rapid, especially in terms of energy generation through renewable sources, which is intended to mitigate global warming and reduce all the ravages that are currently occurring around the world. Photovoltaic and biomass generation sources are attractive for implementation due to the abundant energy resources they offer; however, the intermittency of these sources is a disadvantage when it comes to the needs of the load, decreasing the reliability of the system. Therefore, it is essential to use a backup and storage system such as a diesel generator and a battery bank to continuously supply the load demand. This work presents a case study to meet the energy needs of a community made up of 17 low-income homes on an island in the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador. The optimization and economic evaluation of the hybrid system is achieved using specialized software, resulting in the optimized architecture of the renewable energy system based on the available resources of the locality. The architecture is made up of a 22 kW photovoltaic generator and a 1.5 kW biomass generator, while the diesel generator is 12 kW, the battery bank is made up of 58 units of 111 Ah, and the dispatch strategy is load tracking. The results of the economic evaluation indicate that the total cost of the system (TNPC) is USD 96,033, the initial cost for the implementation of the system is USD 36,944, and the levelized cost of energy is USD 0.276, which makes it attractive for implementation. The importance of this research lies in its practical approach to solving electrification challenges in isolated and low-income communities through a hybrid renewable energy system. By demonstrating how intermittent sources like solar and biomass can be effectively combined with backup and storage systems, the study provides a reliable, economically viable, and implementable solution, addressing both the global need to mitigate climate change and the local need for accessible energy in vulnerable regions.