Optimizing hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification through economic

feasibility analysis for an isolated community in Algeria

Abstract
The Algerian government has launched a large number of programs to encourage
renewable energies to generate power and making them competitive with fossil energy
options such as coal and oil, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and slow global
warming, in this paper we are interested in solving the problem of power generation by using
and improving the hybrid energy system which consists of photovoltaic solar energy and
generators powered by liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas with an energy
storage system consisting of batteries. The system is intended to supply electrical power for a
rural area in Tindouf regions of Algeria small village of 130 households in the township of
Adrar. The study was based on theoretical mathematical modeling and simulation using the
hybrid optimization and simulation using the hybrid optimization model for renewable
energy. Economic and environmental studies have been conducted and the comparison is
based on the unit cost of producing electric energy to assess the feasibility of the system and
its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Introduction
Nowadays, electricity is most common power source in people’s life. As the living
standard improving, the dependence on electricity becomes stronger. In remote area far from
public power grid, the stand-alone power supply system become most needed power source.
The border troop sentry, telecommunication relay station, signal tower along the highway and
railway, geological survey and wild field work-station, the farmer and herdsmen house in
remote area all need low cost and reliable stand-alone power supply system.
Algeria is a country which enjoys a relatively enviable position in energy matters. the
necessary energy diversification which essentially aims at a rapid integration of renewable
energies (photovoltaic and thermal solar, wind, geothermal, biomass)
The French used solar energy in Algeria in 1954 for the purpose of manufacturing ceramics
[1]. Algeria has a high level of sunshine, over 3000 Hz per year, and a very high average
insolation of 5 kWh per square meter per day. This solar potential can satisfy domestic
demand as well as generate exports. Moreover, the production costs of solar and wind energy
are decreasing. The estimated isolation time throughout the national territory is 2000 hours
per year and may reach 3900 hours in the high plains and desert. The energy obtained per year
on a horizontal surface of 1 m2 is about 1700 kWh/m2/year for the north and 2,263

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kWh/m2/yr for the south [2].

Figure1: Potential sites for solar electricity supply in Algeria[ref],

2.Renewable Energy and the Development Plan in Algeria

The main objective of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development
Plan is to expand usage of renewable energies and to diversify energy sources in Algeria.
This plan aims to install 22,000 MW of power generation capacity from renewable sources
between 2011 and 2030, including 12,000 MW for internal use and 10,000 MW for export.
Then, to meet 20% of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2030 in order
to develop renewable energy to push economic development in the country.
3. Local Energy Resources and Electrical Load
3 .1.Solar resource assessment
In this research, we feed a military barracks far from electrical connections in the
countryside of Adrar, southwestern Algeria, with a load of 326 kWh per day, to conduct an
economic analysis.
The average global radiation per month data is taken from the Algerian Meteorological
Department. The clearness index (the clarity of the atmosphere is measured by this index) has
a medium value of 0.508 for Adrar. The daily radiation and serenity index data for Adrar. The
average sun radiation varies from 3.558 kWh/m²/day to 7.82 kWh/m²/day and the average
annual solar radiation is 5.88 kWh/m²/day [7], [8], [9], [10].
3.2. Energy Resources
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are energy sources.
They are flammable and burning releases energy. Both are mixtures composed mainly of
hydrocarbons.
The use of LNG and LPG will have little impact on carbon emissions. Existing engines must
be replaced to use natural gas LNG and LPG, because diesel and gasoline engines are not able
to use pure natural gas. The use of LNG and LPG improves efficiency in power generation,
heating, cooling and combustion engines. LNG and LPG has been safe and reliable for the
past 50 years, and LNG and LPG are historically less expensive than diesel. The replacement

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of liquefied gas is an important project for Algeria due to its cheap price [ref Prix le plus
récent.], availability in large quantities, increased demand for energy in the region, and
increased pollution. At present Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas are a low
carbon alternative to liquid
Table 1: Fuel prices. Dollar per Liter in 25-Oct 2020[ref]

Country Diesel LPG LNG Natural gas

$/L Supprime $/L DZD/L $/L DZD/L

DA DZD/L

Algeria 0.211 29.010 0.066 9.00 0.003 0.384

USA 0.954 ---- 0.038

Russia 0.714 0.475 0.008

Canada 1.190 0.855 0.031

Germany 1.825 0.918 0.070

France 1.829 1.041 0.077

Japon 1.250 ------ 0.092

4. Modelling of Hybrid system structure components

The proposed system contains PV sub-system, generators unit and battery storage sub-system
(ajoute un schema bloc du system).
4.1. Photovoltaic model:
The PV energy system produce DC electric power from the solar and the radiation of
PV modules. It can be connected in series or parallel to form chain. The solar PV output is
obtained using Eq.(1) [ref equ ]
(1)

hourly irradiance in KWH/m2

surface area in m2
efficiency of PV generator
4.2. Generator module
The generator used is used as a backup based on the fuel consumption pattern (FG ??),
which is proportional to the output power and is given by generator D (G ) with rated power
output P( G) is defined by eq (2). [ref equ]
(2)
Where:
the generator efficiency
The generator operates between 85 and 100% of their kW rating.
4.3 Battery module
The most commonly used devices for storing energy are batteries in off-grid
renewable energy systems.

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The total output of all generators exceeds the load demand, the available battery bank capacity
at time, t, can be described by. During the charging process can be described by eq (3) [ref
equ].
(3)

4.4 Inverters
Inverters work to transfer electrical power from Direct Current to alternating current,
and transformers from alternating current to DC power. It is suitable for remote hybrid
systems. The DC-to-AC of most inverters conversion efficiency is about 93 percent[ref].
The detailed parameters of the installation cost, operational cost, lifetime, etc. is provided in
Table2[ Tab ref].

Table2.System component considered

Components Size I.CapitalCost Replacement O&M cost Lifetime
($) cost($) ($)

PV panels (0-40) kw 1500 1200 15 $ /year 24 year

Batteries 360Ah/6v (0-240)b 900 900 9 $ /year 10 year
Generator (0-40) kw 1400 1050 0.4 $ /hour 15,000h
LPG
Generator (0-35) kw 1300 1100 0.3 $ /hour 14000h
LNG
Converter (0-30) kw 1000 1000 10 $ /year 20 year

4.5 Economic Model

Net present cost (NPC): The total NPC is determined by the formula[ref equ].
1.
( equ N°)
where Tp is the project warranty (year), Ctot, ann is the total annualized cost ($/year),
I is the real interest rate (percent),
2. CRF is the capital recovery factor that is obtained by[ref equ].

( equ N°)
where n refers to the number of years (Lau et al. 2018).
3. Cost of energy (COE): that is obtained by[ref equ].
COE is the average price per kWh of the total quantity of electricity a certain energy
system produces.
( equ N°)

5.Results and Discussion

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The proposed method's performance was examined through a series of simulations and a
comparison of two scenarios for economic power systems.

5.1. Examining the two scenarios for economic power systems

A scenarios (A and B) comparaison was performed keeping the stress values constant
for all system configurations. The best energy system was selected with lower net
current cost (NPC), lower cost of energy (COE), a minimum renewable fraction 30
%, LNG price of USD 0.003/litre, a GPL price of USD 0.066/litre Table1. Structure -
1- the current net cost of systems architecture1 is less than all other scenarios,
approximately, we found that the lowest cost of energy (0.468 $/kWh) with the
lowest NPC (1.374.984 $) was observed with the hybrid system solar-LNG
generator, and minimum CO2 (13.700 kg/year) is produced in this system Table 4.

Structure -2. Estimated energy cost (0.479 $/kWh) with the NPC (1.407.875$) was
observed with the hybrid system solar-LPG generator, and maximum CO2 (13.700
kg/year) is produced in this system Table 6.
Ajout un pargraphe qui explique les deux scenarios A et B
Ajout un schéma bloc pour mieux expliquer les deux scenarios A et B

In comparison to scenario (A, B),the hybrid system solar-LNG generator is more cost
effective in terms of net present cost (CNP) and cost of energy (COE).

5.2. Scenarios A : System hybrid Pv generator LNG

Ajout ici un commentaire (un petit paragraph)
Ajout un schéma bloc pour mieux expliqué(architecure)
Table 3. Technical simulation results

configuration PV Generator Battery Converter

(KW) (KW) (KW)

Architecture1 90 35 192 30

Architecture 2 90 35 192 50

Architecture 3 120 35 192 40

Architecture4 00 40 200 30

Ajout ici un commentaire pour le tab 3

Table4. Economical simulation result

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configuration Cost of capital Cost of replacement Total Cost O.E
($) ($/yr) NPC $ ($/KWh)
Architecture1 369.600 63.640 1.318.869 0.389

Architecture 2 399.400 73.919 1.344.730 0.407

Architecture 3 434.600 71.734 1.351.801 0.409
Architecture 4 250.800 86.488 1.359.059 0.410

Ajout ici un commentaire pour le tab 4

Ajout un histogram pour la comparison

5.3.Scenarios B : System hybrid Pv generator LGP

Ajout ici un commentaire (un petit paragraph)
Ajout un schéma bloc pour mieux expliqué(architecure)

Table 5. Technical simulation results

configuration PV Generator Battery Converter
(KW) (KW) (KW)

Architecture1 90 35 192 30

Architecture 2 120 35 192 30

Architecture 3 120 35 192 50

Architecture 4 00 40 192 30

Ajout ici un commentaire pour le tab 5

Table 6.Economical simulation result

configuration Cost of capital Cost of replacement Total Cost O.E
($) ($/yr) NPC $ ($/KWh)
Architecture1 389.800 73.536 1.358.184 0.411

Architecture 2 424.400 75.176 1.385.797 0.419

Architecture 3 444.800 74.257 1.394.058 0.422
Architecture 4 225.600 90.376 1.406.114 0.425

Ajout ici un commentaire pour le tab 6

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Ajout un histogram pour la comparison

5.4.Emissions
Emissions of CO2, CO, sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate
matter (PM) depend on the fuel used and the engine used. The table below summarizes the
emissions of fuels. From Table 7 .we note improved atmospheric emissions compared to
diesel and gasoline, and a small percentage of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide emissions.
The annual pollutant emissions of two studied systems (scenarios). It is possible to
significantly reduce emissions of pollutants by the integration of a generator running
on LPG and LNG gas. According to the results, the emissions of pollutants can be reduced by
approximately 60% compared to the use of a diesel and gasoline generator in the hybrid
system, especially emissions of CO2 and CO responsible for the air pollutant and
environment.
LPG and NGL generators are 50% quieter than a diesel generator,

Table 7. Emission of air pollutants

pollutants(kg/year) Emission(kg/yr) Emission(kg/yr)
Scenarios A Scenarios B
Carbon dioxide 12.450 21.521
Carbon monoxide 364 212
Unburned hydrocarbons 40.3 26.9
Particulate matter 27.5 15.3

Sulfur dioxide 0.0195 0.0474

Nitrogen oxides 3.250 2.169
Ajout un histogram pour la comparison

6.Conclusion
The introduction of LPG and LNG represents a solution for sustainable and renewable
energy generation systems where applicable. They represent options for countries to diversify
their energy sources and potentially take advantage of potential changes in global energy
prices. This document aims to study the relevance of a photovoltaic/diesel/battery hybrid
electricity production system by simulation and mathematical modeling to supply electricity
to an isolated rural site intended for agricultural applications in ADRAR . The technical-
economic and environmental feasibility study aimed at finding the optimal configuration of a
renewable hybrid system of the PV-LNG and the PV-GPL hybrid power system . Using
the computer model of the Homer® software, The results obtained show that the most
economical configuration of permeabilities between the two systems PV/LNG-generator

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hybrid system is more advantageous when compared to the PV/LGP-generator hybrid system
as it has lower operating costs and pollution gases. Results indicate the total initial cost,
current net cost, cost of electricity produced and CO2 production from the system are
$369.600, US$1.318,869 , $0.389/kWh, and 12.450 respectively. The second choice is when
we use a generator alone, with an initial cost, a current net cost , a cost of electricity produced
and CO2 production of $389.800, $1.358,184 , $0.411/kWh and 21.521 respectively, the
optimized PV-LPG generator hybrid system is more cost effective in terms of Net Present
Cost (CNP) and Energy Cost (COE). Based on analysis and environmental comparison results

References
Ajout plus. de référence(min 25)
[1] CDER Algeria, http://www.cder.dz
[2] The report Algeria 2018, Renowable Energy, An increased focus on renewable energy is set to complement
The country’s long-term commitment to fossil fuels” 2018.
[3 ] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Atmospheric Science Data Center, 2015,
http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/sse/2012.