Stand-Alone Hybrid Wind-Diesel Power Systems for Commercial Loads of Turaif-Saudi Arabia - Techno-Economics of Hot Desert Regions for Sustainable Clean Future

Abstract

Hybrid wind-diesel technology is disseminated world-wide to minimize depletion of fossil-fuels and carbon emissions. Appreciable amount (10-40%) of energy generated is consumed by commercial/residential buildings of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A.). This investigation aims at techno-economic assessment of hybrid wind-diesel systems (HWDS) to satisfy electrical demand (620,000 kWh per year) of a representative commercial building at Turaif (Northern Province, K.S.A.) by analysis of wind speed data. As per the study, the monthly average wind speed of Turaif lies in the range 3.4 - 4.4 meters per second. The configurations simulated include various mixes of 100 kW wind machines (WTG) and diesel systems. The techno-economic evaluation is carried out by using NREL’s (HOMER Energy’s) HOMER software. The results point out that the wind fraction (with zero % load rejection) is 20% for a hybrid configuration composed of one 100 kW WTG together and 175 kW diesel generator. The energy generation cost (COE) from this system is 0.123 $/kWh. Also, 20% wind fraction, results in reducing carbon emissions by 91 tons/year. The diesel operation time is less with higher penetration of wind. Also, emphasis is on effect of wind fraction on energy produced, COE, operational time of diesel sets, un-met load, excess energy, fuel savings, carbon emissions, cost of HWDS, etc.