Comparative Analysis of Microgrid Configurations for Sustainable Energy Supply in Kish Island

Despite the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, which can pose challenges to grid sustainability, nuclear power has traditionally been a significant supplier of clean energy, albeit with limited flexibility. However, recent technological advances have led to the development of scaled-down iterations of large nuclear power plants that offer greater flexibility while still ensuring clean and stable electricity delivery. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of a microgrid configuration designed for Kish Island. It focuses on integrating micro-modular reactors (MMR), wind turbines, photovoltaic (PV) panels, and lithium-ion battery storage. The objective of this study is to optimize energy production and storage in a microgrid, enabling sustainable electricity supply in Kish Island, Iran. The economic implications of two microgrid configurations are evaluated. The first configuration includes 8 MMRs and a battery, while the second configuration includes PV, wind turbines, 4 MMRs, and a battery. These configurations are assessed based on two key metrics: net present cost (NPC) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). The results indicate that the PV/Wind/4 MMRs/Battery configuration reduces NPC and LCOE by 47.1% and 59.1%, respectively, underscoring its economic advantage for Kish Island. By incorporating renewable energy sources such as PV and wind turbines alongside nuclear power, the microgrid can provide a more sustainable and cost-effective electricity supply for the island. This underscores the potential of integrating different energy sources to enhance grid flexibility and efficiency.