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Techno‐Economic Potential of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Rural Health Units in the Philippines
Author(s) -
Lemence Allen Lemuel G.,
Tamayao MiliAnn M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
world medical and health policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.326
H-Index - 11
ISSN - 1948-4682
DOI - 10.1002/wmh3.388
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , renewable energy , environmental economics , electricity , grid , business , engineering , economics , electrical engineering , mathematics , geometry
This study evaluated the techno‐economic viability of utilizing a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) in a standard rural healthcare facility in the Philippines to improve energy access and resiliency. The optimal configurations were determined to satisfy the electricity demand of the RHU while reducing the cost of energy (COE) by 37–42 percent and direct CO 2 emissions by ~59 percent. Both grid‐connected and off‐grid scenarios were considered. Results show that a solar photovoltaic panel‐grid system is optimal for the grid‐connected scenario while a solar photovoltaic panel‐generator‐battery system is optimal for the off‐grid scenario. Most of the load was found to occur during daytime (specifically from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM) and the optimal configurations are estimated to provide at least 70 percent of the facility's electricity demand. The results of this study support the policy of encouraging the integration of HRES in rural healthcare facilities in the Philippines as a way to augment energy access and increase energy system resilience while reducing long‐term costs and CO 2 emissions.