Cost Effectiveness of Standalone Hybrid Power Supplies at Different Locations across Europe

Standalone hybrid systems based on renewable energy sources may represent a convenient and cost effective option for powering isolated consumers located far from the existing grid. In this study the focus is on particular photovoltaic-wind-diesel-battery systems which supply mobile telephony base stations. In the study, both the consumption of telecommunication electronic equipment and the consumption of cooling devices are taken into account. Nine characteristic locations across Europe with different climatic conditions were selected for comparative techno-economic assessment. For each location, a comprehensive simulation and optimization routine was performed, in order to find the optimal system configuration and the minimum amount of total annualized costs. The obtained results are discussed and some conclusions regarding system sizing at different locations are drawn.