International Journal of Computer Applications |
Foundation of Computer Science (FCS), NY, USA |
Volume 184 - Number 13 |
Year of Publication: 2022 |
Authors: Ajeba S. Wilfred, Adebanji Bankole, Owoeye F. Kemisola |
10.5120/ijca2022922114 |
Ajeba S. Wilfred, Adebanji Bankole, Owoeye F. Kemisola . Catalyzing Uninterrupted Energy Availability in Nigeria through Decentralized Off-Grid Hybrid Energy Exploitation. International Journal of Computer Applications. 184, 13 ( May 2022), 9-20. DOI=10.5120/ijca2022922114
The Present use of centralized energy planning model in Nigeria lacks the capacity to meeting the energy need of Nigerian rural and urban communities, leading to environmental degradation as fossil fueled energy options are being adopted. This paper evaluated decentralized off grid hybrid energy model as feasible alternative solution to energy poverty and as catalyst for sustainable, round-the-clock energy availability in Nigeria using Abeokuta in Ogun state as a case study. Small hydro (SHP), solar PV, diesel generator (DG) and battery storage (BB) hybrid system was used for the study. HOMER (hybrid optimization model for electric renewable) was employed to determine the optimal result. The load profile of the area was arrived at through the use questionnaire and from load data of the community obtained from Nigeria’s National Control Center (NCC), Oshogbo. The hydro data of Oyan river in Abeokuta used for the study and the solar data of the area were obtained from Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Abeokuta and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s global satellite database respectively. The capital costs of system components were estimate as obtained from suppliers in Nigeria and Oversea. The optimal energy systems were selected on the basis of less levelised cost of energy (COE), less net present cost (NPC), less excess electricity, minimum annual capacity shortage and so on. A comparative analysis of the optimal configuration with an autonomous diesel generator with respect to environmental impact and economy was done to ascertain the ecological advantage of the off-grid hybrid model. The analysis favoured off grid PV-DG-BB-SHP hybrid system, wherein levelized cost of energy (COE) is $0.290, net present cost (NPC) $1,265,686,000 and renewable fraction (RF) 99.9%. The community annual energy need is 105,645,600 kWh/yr while the annual energy production of the hybrid energy model is 295,702,783 kWh/yr. The result shows environmentally benign hybrid energy model that can guarantee uninterrupted energy availability for Abeokuta. When fully exploited by government and policy makers in Nigeria and extended to other localities in the Nigerian state, constant energy availability, independence and growth are possible in all parts of Nigeria.