Analysis and Optimization of a Hybrid Energy System for Some Selected Higher Institutions in Nigeria

This study investigated the feasibility of using a hybrid combination of solar, wind, and diesel generator to be connected with the existing electricity grid for some selected higher institutions in Nigeria. A model was developed to analyze the sustainability and efficiency of the hybrid energy system for Nigerian higher institutions. The selected locations for investigation were Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, and Rufus Giwa polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) with geographical locations of 7°37.0N, 5°14.3E, 6°27.4N, 5°34.5E, and 7°12.9N, 5°36.2E, respectively. The load and resource profile of the selected sites were evaluated to determine an optimize system design that will be able to reduce the overhead cost and at the same time, be economically viable. Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) software was used as an optimization tool to perform simulations using the available resources and load profile of each location. The result obtained through simulation show that hybridizing these energy sources (PV/wind/diesel) gives the most cost-efficient configuration with the cost of electricity incurred as $0.168/kWh, $0.200/kWh, and $0.173/kWh respectively. The results further indicate that the proposed hybrid model is better than running the conventional stand-alone system in terms of cost and CO
2
emission reduction.