An off-grid hybrid renewable energy solution in remote Doomadgee of Far North Queensland, Australia: Optimisation, techno-socio-enviro-economic analysis and multivariate polynomial regression

Integrating renewables has been recognised as the appropriate way for cleaner development in response to climate change and energy shortfall. The present study aims at developing sustainable hybrid energy system in Doomadgee, Far North Queensland, Australia, which is near areas with greater biodiversity such as great barrier reef. Six different configuration of hybrid renewable energy systems has been simulated by HOMER PRO software for average load demand of 49.07 MWh/day with a 4.83 MW peak in an off-grid condition. Every scenario has been analysed in terms of technical, financial, socio and ecological aspects. A multi-objective optimisation technique, TOPSIS has been implemented to determine final optimal scenario based on thirteen parameters. Solar Photovoltaic-wind-hydrogen system is found best combination with net present cost and cost of energy of respective 165 MAUD and 0.646 AUD/kWh. This system can preserve the region's ecology by reducing 12,330,597 kg/year of CO2 emission. In addition, the system has positive effect on the society with creation of 90.647 jobs and human development index of 0.9063. Triple sensitivity study such as variation of solar and wind resources including demand and implementation of multivariate polynomial regression which is key contribution of present study, have provided a clear view that cost of energy is sensorial to change in resources and demand. Wind resources are the most influential parameter, whose exploitation helps to lessen cost of energy greatly.