TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM

Abstract

Power is becoming more vital all across the world due to the limited supply of fossil fuels. Therefore, it is important to develop some alternative to non-renewable energy frameworks that can lessen the dependency on conventional energy assets. To overcome the technical difficulties posed by their erratic and intermittent nature, the combination of renewable energy sources (RES) and their costs may provide a cheap, clean and effective alternative energy supply. The study of optimised energy systems that can meet the needs of diversified climatic regions is necessary. This thesis offering a Techno-Economic and Environmental Assessment of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) in India's different climatic zones, i.e., composite, temperate, cold, warm and humid, and hot and dry. The assessment combines combinations of solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines, biomass generators, and battery storage units, simulated using modelling software like HOMER Pro (hybrid optimisation model for electric renewable), PVsyst and Design Expert. Key performance metrics like Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Renewable Fraction (RF), Net Present Cost (NPC), and CO₂ emissions are evaluated in each region. The result suggests that the system performance and viability are highly influenced by climatic conditions, resource availability, and load patterns. Solar-wind-fuel cell hybrid power generation systems, for instance, are optimised for five climatic zones, while solar PV and solar PV with biomass gasifier integration are optimised for a composite climatic zone. Solar PV, wind and fuel cell system are modelled for an average load demand of 588 kWh per day and a peak load of 60.31 kW and simulated based on meteorological data of New Delhi, Bangalore, Srinagar, Kolkata and Jodhpur. It comprises of a solar PV system, a wind turbine, a fuel cell, a converter, an electrolyser, and a hydrogen tank. Srinagar has the highest total NPC of 57,44,105.53 US$, whereas Bangalore has the lowest NPC, i.e., 34,01,103.82 US$. The hydrogen production range is between 1955 to 1963 kg/yr for all climatic zones. The Jodhpur station is the most suitable one with the lowest LCOE, i.e., 1.14 $/kWh and a payback period of 5.9 years. v In the second case, the performance of solar PV systems using PVsyst and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for composite climatic conditions is analysed. Two critical parameters, i.e., tilt angle and albedo, have been investigated. Specific production increases as the albedo and tilt angle increase. Optimum tilt angle is 25⁰ at 0.54 albedo with a maximum specific production of 1643.3 kWh/kWp/year. Payback period is 5.8 years, return on investment (ROI) is at 469.2% and the LCOE is 0.027 $/kWh. During its lifetime, the system reduces 3470.5 tCO2 carbon emissions compared to the conventional plant. Therefore, installing such a system will drastically reduce CO2 emissions, encourage environmental sustainability and enhance the number of claimed carbon credits. Third case analyses and optimises a solar PV and biomass gasifier HRES for the building of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Technological University (located at 28°44' N and 77°06' E). The HOMER software is employed for simulation, and the analysis primarily focuses on the techno-economic and environmental assessment of the system. HRES is designed to fulfill the daily energy consumption of 588 kWh at a peak of 65 kW. The system generates 3,76,780 kWh of power every year. The COE is 0.207 US$/kWh, and the gross NPC is 5,07,737 US$. Throughout a lifetime (25 years) contributions to the total energy production from biomass gasifier and solar PV are 23.4% and 76.6%. Around 161 metric tons of CO2 are prevented from entering the atmosphere. Result provides region-specific recommendations for policymakers, investors, and developers to design low-cost and low-carbon energy systems, driving India's transition to sustainable energy infrastructure. Therefore, installing a HRES according to the climatic conditions will provide a sustainable and dependable energy solution that solves climate issues, improves energy security, and encourages ecological responsibility.