Economic feasibility analysis of wind and biomass-based electricity generation for rural South Africa

Rising human population and economic development have led to drastic increase in energy consumption. Currently, the largest portion of the energy demand across the world is met by continually depleting fossil fuels which also add to environmental pollution and global warming. This has intensified the quest for more sustainable and cleaner indigenous energy sources to reduce the high dependence on fossil fuels as well as to alleviate energy poverty in rural and remote localities, especially in continents like Asia, Africa and South America. This paper proposes implementation of wind and biomass-based energy generation systems for rural electrification as one viable option for energy poverty alleviation in the off-grid localities in the country. This paper assesses and compares the economic feasibility of electricity production from various wind and biomass based electricity generation systems, such as with and without storage and when wind and biomass are hybridized to form a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES). The case studies are carried out in Mseleni village and Net Present Cost, Cost of Electricity, excess electricity and carbon emissions are used as comparison criteria.