Optimization and assessment of an off-grid photovoltaic-diesel-battery hybrid sustainable energy system for remote residential applications

Due to the increasing demand for electricity for the ecotourism areas like Malaysia, alternative energy sources are being required. In this research article, an investigation for the comprehensive off-grid photovoltaic (PV)-diesel-battery hybrid alternative energy system design with an energy backup of a 5-kW diesel generator is represented. From the simulation and optimization results, it can be observed that 38 kW hr/day load demand combined with 5-kW peak load for 37 family units for an ecotourism areas of Malaysia can be fulfilled by establishing the proposed hybrid PV-diesel-battery energy system. It can also be observed from the optimization outcomes that the proposed hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) is the most economically feasible energy system and the levelized cost of energy (COE) is nearing U.S. $0.895/kW hr and net present cost (NPC) is U.S. $158,206, and the COE and NPC have been minimized according to the current market price. After collecting meteorological data, a complete simulation has been conducted with the other parameters to achieve an optimal solution of the PV-diesel-battery hybrid alternative energy system. The decrement of the CO2 emission can be compared to the existing results with the other conventional and HRESs. The simulation results from Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable software have been validated by using Photovoltaic System Tools (PVSYST) renewable energy platform. The analyzed energy system will be applicable where the meteorological conditions are the same.