A Comparative Study of the Size and Management of Standalone Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Remote Locations in India

Abstract

Electrification of rural areas is a challenging task, as it is more expensive than in urban areas. This study aims to identify the most efficient and sustainable combination of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) to meet the energy demands of rural areas cost-effectively. The research focused on the size optimisation of standalone hybrid photovoltaic–wind turbine–biogas–battery systems using HOMER software based on the availability of the sources at the study location. Different HRES combinations are compared based on technical performance, costs, and electricity production. The findings of the study for the most economical HRES configuration are compared with each other to provide a reliable and cost-effective solution. In this work, the COE per unit for the various combinations has been calculated following the analysis of the resources. Combining PV, a WT generator, and biogas is the least expensive and most practical alternative, with a battery storage system having a COE of around ₹17.24/kWh.