Hybrid Energy System for Off-Grid Electrification of Koluama Communities, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of a hybrid solar photovol‐ taic (PV), wind, battery storage and diesel‐generator system for supplying Koluama 1 and Koluama 2 communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A bottom‐up electricity load assessment was conducted using household appliance inventories and estimated electricity re‐ quirements for residential, educational, healthcare and commercial consumers. The estimated prelimin‐ ary community demand was 1,589.74 kWh/day, which increased to 1,722.13 kWh/day after applying an 8.3% design margin. The corresponding estimated peak demand was 260.32 kW. Solar and wind re‐ sources were assessed using NASA Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (NASA POWER) data. The mean daily global horizontal irradiance was approximately 5.14 kWh/m²/day, while the mean wind speed was approximately 4.07 m/s at 10 m height. Weibull analysis was used to characterize the wind resource. HOMER Pro was subsequently employed to model, simulate and optimize alternative power‐ system configurations comprising PV, wind, battery storage and diesel generation. The optimum config‐ uration was the PV‐wind‐battery‐diesel system, with a net present cost (NPC) of US$537,008, levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of US$0.0661/kWh, renewable fraction of 97.7%, approximately 97.88% reduc‐ tion in carbon dioxide emissions relative to the diesel‐based reference system, zero unmet electrical load, zero capacity shortage, with excess electricity generation of 57,164 kWh/year.. Sensitivity analysis further indicated that diesel‐fuel price has a direct influence on the cost of electricity. The results indic‐ ate that hybrid renewable energy systems can provide a technically viable pathway for electrifying isol‐ ated riverine communities. The study provides a location‐specific baseline for future engineering design