Feasibility study of hybrid energy system for off-grid rural electrification in southern Pakistan

The use of renewable energy is increasing all over the world. These resources provide clean energy without giving rise to pollution. Current study discussed the feasibility of providing electricity by using hybrid power system (photovoltaic/wind/diesel) to a distant hypothetical village, population of 100 households with an average of five family members per household. The study area, Nooriabad, lies in Sind, Pakistan (latitude = 25.17°N, longitude = 67.8°E and site elevation = 180 m above the mean sea level). Current study showed that the proposed hybrid system could be a viable solution for off-grid supply of electric power to remote areas in Pakistan. In the present case, a daily energy consumption of 205 kWh and a peak power demand of 47 kW were considered. The implementation of this project will result in the reduction of 69% in greenhouse gases addition in the local atmosphere of the chosen site. The photovoltaic/wind/diesel/battery hybrid system is found to be an attractive option with levelized cost of energy of 0.45 $/kWh and with renewable energy penetration of 84%. The sensitivity analysis showed that photovoltaic/wind/diesel/battery hybrid configuration is the only feasible system under given variations of different parameters.