Grid Integration of Renewable Technology: A Techno-economic Assessment

Ileberi R. Gbalimene^1, , Adikankwu O. Henry¹, Timi A. Ekubo² and Adenekan I. Olanrewaju¹

¹Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Centre for Satellite Technology Development, Abuja, Nigeria

²Engineering and Space Systems, National Space Research and Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Ileberi R. Gbalimene, Adikankwu O. Henry, Timi A. Ekubo and Adenekan I. Olanrewaju. Grid Integration of Renewable Technology: A Techno-economic Assessment. American Journal of Mechanical Engineering. 2016; 4(5):182-190. doi: 10.12691/ajme-4-5-3

Abstract

The present study examines the prospect of supplying renewable energy to serve the load demand of the Centre for Satellite Technology Development building (8°58'30.263" N, 7°22'34.702" E) by using the HOMER simulation tool. Meteorological data was obtained from NASA database whereas other component costs were gotten from market research and open literatures. Several configurations were considered and comparison was made based on parameters such as total net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE), renewable fraction (RF) and CO₂ emission. According to the optimization results, it was observed that solar and wind energies could be harnessed in the built environment and that the grid-only supply system appears the most cost effective with the least NPC and COE. Moreover, the CO₂ emitted during this process was found to be high (611,763 kg/yr). On the other hand, 70% RF was found when 350 kW PV, 320 kW converter and 10 NPS100C-21 wind turbines were integrated into the existing grid. This configuration was found to have sold 115,605 kWh per year of energy to the grid and reduced the CO₂ emission by 78%.

Keywords:
HOMER renewable energy net present cost grid Nigeria

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