Comparative analysis of the technico-economical and environmental feasibility of an off-grid hybrid energy system for a surface drip irrigation system
摘要
Small-scale farmers often cultivate their lands in locations distant from the main electricity grid and water sources, facing financial constraints. Providing water to their farmlands cost-effectively poses a significant challenge for these farmers. Finding a solution that is cheaper and eco-friendly is a ground breaking solution. This article investigates the feasibility of hybrid energy systems, specifically photovoltaic, diesel, and battery systems, for fulfilling the energy requirements of surface drip irrigation. The study focuses on a parcel of 2.95 hectares, with a net irrigation requirement of 130 m3/day. All parcel sectors are irrigated daily, with an irrigation duration of 3 h and 42 min per sector. The primary objective of this paper is to focus on sizing, optimising energy management, and modelling the components of a hybrid energy system for surface drip irrigation, with a daily load of 5.52 kWh and a peak of 1.35 kW. The study analyses three scenarios: Scenario A includes PV, diesel, and battery storage; Scenario B includes PV and battery storage; and Scenario C includes only diesel. The HOMER software was used to optimise the system size to minimise the cost of energy and net present cost. The findings of this study indicate that the scenario A has the lowest net present cost of 7460$, while scenario C has the highest net present cost of 12,049$. Scenario B falls in between, with a net present cost of 9212$.In terms of levelized cost, scenario A has the lowest cost at 0.286$/kWh, followed by scenario B at 0.3537$/kWh, and scenario C has the highest cost at 0.462$/kWh. The study found that a hybrid photovoltaic /Diesel/Battery system is the most cost-effective and energy-efficient option for meeting energy needs, with the lowest net present cost and energy cost. The study showcased the effects of photovoltaic penetration and battery storage on energy generation, energy cost, and operational hours of diesel generators in the hybrid Photovoltaic /Diesel/Battery system configuration.