Optimal sizing of solar FV/battery and biogas generator in remote microgrid

It is now becoming increasingly clear that supplying electricity to rural areas is often more economical and cost-effective when it is generated via renewable energy sources rather than grid extension due to prohibitively high costs associated with the latter approach. This paper espouses a better alternative to grid extension for remote communities based on a self-sustaining local economic ecosystem for electrical supply. The proposed supply consists of an optimally sized Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) operating as a remote micro-grid comprised of a Solar PV/Battery and Biogas generator as the main sources. Account is also taken of the utilization of biogas for cooking because energy for cooking is a major requirement for remote communities. Mixed-integer linear optimization is applied to identify the most cost-effective mix of the energy technologies by comparing several combinations among renewable energy sources using a dedicated commercial software package. The optimization aims to minimise the total cost of the system while respecting each energy source's potential constraints and load demand. The performance of each model component is evaluated. It was found that renewable energy combined with energy storage helps reduce the cost of energy.