IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i7p4175-d784430.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Design Analysis of an Optimal Microgrid System for the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources at a University Campus

Author

Listed:
  • Abdulrahman AlKassem

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Madinah, Madinah 42351, Saudi Arabia)

  • Azeddine Draou

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Madinah, Madinah 42351, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdullah Alamri

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of Madinah, Madinah 42351, Saudi Arabia)

  • Hisham Alharbi

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Taif University, Taif 21974, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

The integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) is a strategic goal in Saudi Arabia. The energy source diversification plan comprises the penetration of various technologies, including solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy. In this research, an optimal microgrid system design is proposed and analyzed at the Islamic University of Madinah. The research intends to facilitate the decision-making process in the incorporation of RESs in Saudi universities. A pilot project has been established at the Faculty of Engineering and the measured load profile has been incorporated. Three alternatives are investigated, and their technical and economic performance is determined (i.e., PV system, wind system, and hybrid system). To enhance the accuracy of the simulated models, on-the-ground weather data have been utilized to formulate a typical meteorological year profile. The results demonstrate that a PV system of 1.5 MW installed capacity can cover up to 3.03% of the university’s annual electrical consumption, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.051 USD/kWh. The PV alternative can generate annual energy of 2.68 GWh with a capacity factor of 20.2% and a simple payback period of 18.6 years. The wind energy system has a capacity factor of 1.1 MW and yields a higher ratio of energy production to installed capacity, owing to a higher capacity factor at 29.5%, and annual energy of 2.71 GWh. However, due to the higher initial cost and insufficiency of wind resources at the proposed location, this wind energy alternative results in higher LCOE at 0.064 USD/kWh and a simple payback period of 23.6 years. The hybrid alternative facilitates the integration of diverse RESs. It has a capacity factor of 1.37 MW, leading to an annual generation of 3.27 GWh and a renewable fraction of 3.7%. The LCOE of the hybrid option is determined to be 0.061 USD/kWh and the simple payback period at 20.7 years. All alternatives help in the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), and nitric oxide (NO x ) between 0.11 million kg and 54.6 million kg annually. Each of the systems can provide opportunities at the technical, economic, and environmental levels. The implications of this research facilitate Saudi universities in supporting the integration of RESs, considering the strategic goals of Saudi Arabia.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdulrahman AlKassem & Azeddine Draou & Abdullah Alamri & Hisham Alharbi, 2022. "Design Analysis of an Optimal Microgrid System for the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources at a University Campus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4175-:d:784430
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/7/4175/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/7/4175/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wonsuk Ko & Essam Al-Ammar & Mohammad Almahmeed, 2019. "Development of Feed-in Tariff for PV in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Sen, Rohit & Bhattacharyya, Subhes C., 2014. "Off-grid electricity generation with renewable energy technologies in India: An application of HOMER," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 388-398.
    3. Aziz, Ali Saleh & Tajuddin, Mohammad Faridun Naim & Adzman, Mohd Rafi & Mohammed, Mohd Fayzul & Ramli, Makbul A.M., 2020. "Feasibility analysis of grid-connected and islanded operation of a solar PV microgrid system: A case study of Iraq," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    4. Bahramara, S. & Moghaddam, M. Parsa & Haghifam, M.R., 2016. "Optimal planning of hybrid renewable energy systems using HOMER: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 609-620.
    5. Madhlopa, Amos & Sparks, Debbie & Keen, Samantha & Moorlach, Mascha & Krog, Pieter & Dlamini, Thuli, 2015. "Optimization of a PV–wind hybrid system under limited water resources," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 324-331.
    6. Amir A. Imam & Yusuf A. Al-Turki & Sreerama Kumar R., 2019. "Techno-Economic Feasibility Assessment of Grid-Connected PV Systems for Residential Buildings in Saudi Arabia—A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, December.
    7. Rehman, Shafiqur & Ahmad, Aftab, 2004. "Assessment of wind energy potential for coastal locations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(8), pages 1105-1115.
    8. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Hiendro, Ayong & Sedraoui, Khaled & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Optimal sizing of grid-connected photovoltaic energy system in Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 489-495.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ashraf K. Abdelaal & Elshahat F. Mohamed & Attia A. El-Fergany, 2022. "Optimal Scheduling of Hybrid Sustainable Energy Microgrid: A Case Study for a Resort in Sokhna, Egypt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Shibo Li & Hu Zhou & Genzhu Xu, 2023. "Research on Optimal Configuration of Landscape Storage in Public Buildings Based on Improved NSGA-II," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-29, January.
    3. Sultan J. Alharbi & Abdulaziz S. Alaboodi, 2023. "A Review on Techno-Economic Study for Supporting Building with PV-Grid-Connected Systems under Saudi Regulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Edrees Yahya Alhawsawi & Hanan Mikhael D. Habbi & Mansour Hawsawi & Mohamed A. Zohdy, 2023. "Optimal Design and Operation of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Oakland University," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Mohammed Abdullah H. Alshehri & Youguang Guo & Gang Lei, 2023. "Renewable-Energy-Based Microgrid Design and Feasibility Analysis for King Saud University Campus, Riyadh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, July.
    6. Lazaroiu, Alexandra Catalina & Panait, Cornel & Serițan, George & Popescu, Claudia Laurenta & Roscia, Mariacristina, 2024. "Maximizing renewable energy and storage integration in university campuses," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    7. Muhammad Aqil Afham Rahmat & Ag Sufiyan Abd Hamid & Yuanshen Lu & Muhammad Amir Aziat Ishak & Shaikh Zishan Suheel & Ahmad Fazlizan & Adnan Ibrahim, 2022. "An Analysis of Renewable Energy Technology Integration Investments in Malaysia Using HOMER Pro," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-24, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Fazlur Rashid & Md. Emdadul Hoque & Muhammad Aziz & Talukdar Nazmus Sakib & Md. Tariqul Islam & Raihan Moker Robin, 2021. "Investigation of Optimal Hybrid Energy Systems Using Available Energy Sources in a Rural Area of Bangladesh," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.
    2. Jung, Jaesung & Villaran, Michael, 2017. "Optimal planning and design of hybrid renewable energy systems for microgrids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 180-191.
    3. Sanni, Shereefdeen Oladapo & Oricha, Joseph Yakubu & Oyewole, Taoheed Oluwafemi & Bawonda, Femi Ikotoni, 2021. "Analysis of backup power supply for unreliable grid using hybrid solar PV/diesel/biogas system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    4. Chowdhury Akram Hossain & Nusrat Chowdhury & Michela Longo & Wahiba Yaïci, 2019. "System and Cost Analysis of Stand-Alone Solar Home System Applied to a Developing Country," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Bhatt, Ankit & Sharma, M.P. & Saini, R.P., 2016. "Feasibility and sensitivity analysis of an off-grid micro hydro–photovoltaic–biomass and biogas–diesel–battery hybrid energy system for a remote area in Uttarakhand state, India," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 53-69.
    6. Rajbongshi, Rumi & Borgohain, Devashree & Mahapatra, Sadhan, 2017. "Optimization of PV-biomass-diesel and grid base hybrid energy systems for rural electrification by using HOMER," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 461-474.
    7. Bahramara, S. & Moghaddam, M. Parsa & Haghifam, M.R., 2016. "Optimal planning of hybrid renewable energy systems using HOMER: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 609-620.
    8. Konečná, Eva & Teng, Sin Yong & Máša, Vítězslav, 2020. "New insights into the potential of the gas microturbine in microgrids and industrial applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    9. Navid Shirzadi & Fuzhan Nasiri & Ursula Eicker, 2020. "Optimal Configuration and Sizing of an Integrated Renewable Energy System for Isolated and Grid-Connected Microgrids: The Case of an Urban University Campus," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-18, July.
    10. Aziz, Ali Saleh & Tajuddin, Mohammad Faridun Naim & Adzman, Mohd Rafi & Mohammed, Mohd Fayzul & Ramli, Makbul A.M., 2020. "Feasibility analysis of grid-connected and islanded operation of a solar PV microgrid system: A case study of Iraq," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    11. Rahmat Khezri & Amin Mahmoudi & Hirohisa Aki & S. M. Muyeen, 2021. "Optimal Planning of Remote Area Electricity Supply Systems: Comprehensive Review, Recent Developments and Future Scopes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-29, September.
    12. Haratian, Mojtaba & Tabibi, Pouya & Sadeghi, Meisam & Vaseghi, Babak & Poustdouz, Amin, 2018. "A renewable energy solution for stand-alone power generation: A case study of KhshU Site-Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 926-935.
    13. Yahya Z. Alharthi & Mahbube K. Siddiki & Ghulam M. Chaudhry, 2018. "Resource Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of a Grid-Connected Solar PV-Wind Hybrid System for Different Locations in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.
    14. Nasser Yimen & Oumarou Hamandjoda & Lucien Meva’a & Benoit Ndzana & Jean Nganhou, 2018. "Analyzing of a Photovoltaic/Wind/Biogas/Pumped-Hydro Off-Grid Hybrid System for Rural Electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa—Case Study of Djoundé in Northern Cameroon," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-30, October.
    15. Yilmaz, Saban & Dincer, Furkan, 2017. "Optimal design of hybrid PV-Diesel-Battery systems for isolated lands: A case study for Kilis, Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 344-352.
    16. Adoum Abdoulaye, Mahamat & Waita, Sebastian & Wabuge Wekesa, Cyrus & Mwabora, Julius Mwakondo, 2024. "Optimal sizing of an off-grid and grid-connected hybrid photovoltaic-wind system with battery and fuel cell storage system: A techno-economic, environmental, and social assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 365(C).
    17. Aziz, Ali Saleh & Tajuddin, Mohammad Faridun Naim & Hussain, Moaid K. & Adzman, Mohd Rafi & Ghazali, Nur Hafizah & Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Khalil Zidane, Tekai Eddine, 2022. "A new optimization strategy for wind/diesel/battery hybrid energy system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    18. Ahmad, Jameel & Imran, Muhammad & Khalid, Abdullah & Iqbal, Waseem & Ashraf, Syed Rehan & Adnan, Muhammad & Ali, Syed Farooq & Khokhar, Khawar Siddique, 2018. "Techno economic analysis of a wind-photovoltaic-biomass hybrid renewable energy system for rural electrification: A case study of Kallar Kahar," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 208-234.
    19. Ali, Liaqat & Shahnia, Farhad, 2017. "Determination of an economically-suitable and sustainable standalone power system for an off-grid town in Western Australia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 243-254.
    20. Khezri, Rahmat & Mahmoudi, Amin & Aki, Hirohisa, 2022. "Optimal planning of solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems for grid-connected residential sector: Review, challenges and new perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4175-:d:784430. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.