Techno-economic Feasibility of Renewable Energy Based Stand-alone Energy System for a Green House: Case Study

Abstract

IntroductionThere are numerous reasons for the implementation of renewable energy systems; environmental and human health implications, power grid and fuel access in remote communities are to name only a few. However, certain prevailing challenges require objective consideration and innovative solutions; intermittent availability, inconsistent energy levels (i.e. daily solar insolation, wind speed), and-perhaps most importantly-initial system cost can make these systems less practical relative to traditional fossil fuel systems. Rather than seeking a one-size-fitsall solution, it is more pragmatic to instead apply these challenges as guidelines. Specifying a system case-by-case using a top-down approach-beginning with the particular application, then tailoring the system for typical load demands via systems integration using regionally abundant renewable resources, practical energy storage options, and economic feasibility-has the best potential to provide sustainable, cost-effective solutions for the shift away from fossil fuels.Energy consumption to meet demand in residential and/or commercial buildings is a prevalent field of research and discussion in literature. Khalid et al.(2015a) assess three sustainable energy systems integrating conventional (natural gas) and renewable energies (solar, wind, biomass) for HVAC applications. The authors state average energy efficiencies for the systems ranging from 19.9%-27.5%, identifying the natural gas system as exhibiting the highest efficiency, with the caveat of CO 2 emissions as a system drawback, while the system option integrating solar PV-thermal with a vapour refrigeration chiller exhibiting the highest exergetic performance, stating exergy efficiencies ranging from 1.2%-3.9%.Economic considerations are a key factor for decision makers in selection of the most feasible system option. Khalid (2014) discusses this topic in depth, proposing various sustainable energy systems capable of meeting current and future predictions for building energy consumption. The study assesses multigeneration systems integrating various combinations of solar, biomass, ground source heat, and wind energies using comprehensive energy and exergy analyses, as well as techno-economic assessment using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) software to determine the optimal levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), minimum environmental impact, and renewable energy share of each system for the city of Oshawa, Canada. For this region, Khalid (2014) identifies the system integrating concentrating solar collectors and biomass subsystems as the most sustainable and economic option with net present cost (NPC) and LCOE of $2.7M and $0.117/kWh, respectively, and 100% renewable energy share. Bekele and Tadesse (2012) discuss the feasibility of a renewable energy system integrating hydro, Khalid, F, et al. 2018. Techno- As the negative impacts of fossil fuel consumption for power generation become increasingly globally evident-particularly the effects of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission...

Utilization of project support for renewable energy financing in public buildings: A solar carport feasibility example

“…This model is used to meet the thermal and electrical energy needs of a "Green" building in a sustainable way. In [16], a case study for a residential house in Cairo, Egypt is discussed, and a comparison is made between two different renewable energy systems that meet the typical electricity demand for this region.…”