DEVELOPMENT OF OFF GRID HYBRID ENERGY SYSTEM FOR KAGBENI, MUSTANG DISTRICT, NEPAL

Abstract

Off grid hybrid energy system are becoming popular as a stand-alone power system for providing electricity in remote areas. The growing energy demand has led a large amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. So, the hybrid energy system combining the advantages of both renewable and non-renewable energy sources could be applied simultaneously to cater the energy. The optimum sizing of components based on the resources available can be effective in reducing the cost of implementation, emission of greenhouse gases and improve the reliability of the system. The study has attempted for developing off grid hybrid energy system for Kagbeni, Mustang district, Nepal. In this study, the solar, wind and generator based on load estimation have been optimized. The total load of 329 kW for the Kagbeni VDC has been estimated out based upon the type of load consumed in various sectors. The energy resources such as solar and wind have been obtained. The HOMER software tool has been applied for the optimization. Similarly, the sensitivity variables regarding diesel fuel price and the nominal discount rate have been used. Finally, the site location for wind turbine and solar PV installation has been obtained using weighted overlay tool in GIS. The eight-different scenario based on the optimization of hybrid energy system has been obtained, from which the scenario “A” based on total net present cost, cost of electricity and renewable fraction penetration has been selected. The total net present cost and cost of energy has been found to be $315,096 and $0.206/kWh respectively. The hybrid system consisting of Generator, Solar PV, wind is more sensitive to the diesel fuel price, less with the normal discount rate. Similarly, hybrid energy system with Solar PV, wind and battery is less susceptible to diesel fuel but moderately with the nominal discount rate. The COE of hybrid energy system is $0.206. Further, study related to suitability of hybrid energy system for wind turbine and solar PV installation based on various criteria such as road, water, river, vegetarian, barren land has been carried out using weighted overlay tool. Finally, the study recommends a governmental policy for the subsidy of the system components to encourage in generating energy to the unelectrified village of Nepal.