Optimization of Distributed Hybrid Renewable Energy Resources in Power Network: Study of Madangho---Escravos

Abstract

In Nigeria, major urban communities are supplied electricity through conventional grid systems, leaving majority in remote rural communities with little or no supply. Hence, diesel and petrol generators become means of generating electricity for these small remote villages for their livelihood and survival. This has resulted to gradual environmental change; global warming because of large fossil fuel emissions etc. Renewable Energy (RE) is abundant in nature and can provide unlimited clean energy to run the day-today electricity services in order to enhance socioeconomic life of these rural dwellers. The research study is Madangho-Escravos, a remote rural community located at the coastline of Atlantic Ocean, in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Available RE sources in Madangho are solar, wind, tidal and biomass. Distributed Hybrid Renewable Energy Sources (DHRES) comprising of Solar, wind and diesel generator were modeled using HOMER Software. Solar irradiance and wind speed data for Madangho-Escravos were collected from NIMET Osubi Airport. DHRES optimization indicated its feasibility and viability with low (Net Present Cost) NPC, Operating and Maintenance cost, and Cost of Electricity (COE) compared to conventional grid system.