Renewable-Based Energy Mix Optimization for Weak Interconnected Communities

The work assesses a techno-economic optimization to propose the best energy mix based on renewable sources to meet the pre-determined electricity demand of a weak interconnected community in different locations. A representative electric demand profile with a peak load of 60 MW is considered in two different hypothetical locations, Ho Chi Minh (VN) and Riyadh (KSA). The implemented optimization procedure provides the power generation systems capacity and the sizing of the energy storages that minimize the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). The optimization constraint is the minimum share of renewable energy set at 60%, 75%, and 90%, respectively. The role of Concentrate Solar Power (CSP) in the energy mix is assessed thanks to the thermal storage by comparing the LCOE values of the optimized scenarios. Results highlight the great potential of the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) region while, for the South-East, the renewable share is limited by the average market price of electricity in the reference area.