Hybrid Energy Systems: Optimal Resource Determination and Cost Evaluation Using Homer Grid Software

Abstract

This paper proposes a resource evaluation and validation study of a grid-connected hybrid power system which
tends to maximize the use of renewable energy generation with energy storage systems while minimizing the
total system cost. The HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) Grid software is adopted
in this study to find the optimal configuration of solar energy sources with battery storage systems to deliver
complementary electricity supply to satisfy AC primary load of 68.55 kWh/day with a 10.2 kW peak load
demand to a building on a University campus premises located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The results
obtained from simulations showed a list of feasible resource configurations for the hybrid system. However,
the most optimal/economical configuration is a grid-connected Solar PV-Gasoline system with a least cost of
energy (COE) at ₦93.83/kWh and 6.7% renewable energy fraction.