Optimization of ON-grid hybrid PV/wind system for a cement factory in Kuwait using HOMER pro software

Abstract

The reliance on a single energy source leads to many problems, i.e. cost and unsustainable operation. Hybrid renewable energy systems (include more than one energy source) has been effectively shown as a feasible choice to overcome these problems. The main purpose of this research is to carry out a techno-economic optimization to minimize the size of the system with lower cost and higher reliability. This proposed ON-grid hybrid PV/wind energy system is designed to supply the electrical power of a cement factory in Kuwait. To achieve this purpose, the Hybrid Optimization of Electric Energy (HOMER Pro) software was utilized to carry out the optimization process. The results of this study show that the cost of electricity energy generated by the hybrid PV/wind energy system is equal to $0.082/kWh which is much lower when compared to the conventional fuel power plants in Kuwait which is approximately $0.12/kWh.