Comparative Analysis and Assessment of Economic Profitability of a Hybrid Renewable Energy Framework via HOMER Optimization in Jordan

Renewable energy (RE) got exponential attention universally recently through successful ecological, economic, and social outcomes from giga-scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind projects. Hybrid RE systems (HRESs) express a distinguished example of RE frameworks. Nonetheless, designing an HRES is relatively challenging because of multiple factors engaged. Thus, optimization and sensitivity analyses are crucial to offer the lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE). HOMER (R) software has been broadly employed lately, providing several advantages, including active provision of ecologically friendly and profitable HRESs. While the literature covers broad explorations of HRES worldwide, investigations on HRESs in Jordan are relatively rare. This work utilizes HOMER (R) to design a profitable HRES in Karak. Conducted HOMER (R) simulations revealed that the most cost-effective HRES comprised PV modules, diesel generator, Li -Ion battery, and power converter, supplying an LCOE of 488 USD/MWh with carbon emissions of 610.73 kton/annum. Simultaneously, an HRES containing PV modules, wind turbine, diesel generator, Li -Ion battery, and power converter had a higher LCOE (0.489 USD/kWh). An HRES of wind turbines, diesel generators, Li -Ion batteries, and power converters contributed to a hi gher LCOE (0.586 USD/kWh). A system's LCOE with only a diesel generator was 0.727 USD/kWh. It is recommended to upgrade RE adoption to provide clean and profitable electricity. Furthermore, it is suggested to utilize energy storage to maximize HRES's cost -effectiveness.