Hybrid Power Generation by Using Solar and Wind Energy: Case Study

Abstract

Energy is critical to the economic growth and social development of any country. Indigenous energy resources need to be developed to the optimum level to minimize dependence on imported fuels, subject to resolving economic, environmental and social constraints. This led to an increase in research and development as well as investments in the renewable energy industry in search of ways to meet the energy demand and to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. Wind and solar energy are becoming popular owing to the abundance, availability and ease of harnessing the energy for electrical power generation. This paper focuses on an integrated hybrid renewable energy system consisting of wind and solar energies. Many parts of Libya have the potential for the development of economic power generation, so maps locations were used to identify where both wind and solar potentials are high. The focal point of this paper is to describe and evaluate a wind-solar hybrid power generation system for a selected location. Grid-tied power generation systems make use of solar PV or wind turbines to produce electricity and supply the load by connecting to the grid. In this study, the HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable) computer modeling software was used to model the power system, its physical behavior and its life cycle cost. Computer modeling software was used to model the power system, its physical behavior and its life cycle cost. The hybrid power system was designed for a building at the University of Al-Marj (MARJU). Through the use of simulations, the installation of ten 100-kW wind turbines and 150-KW solar PV was evaluated.