Assessment of Using an Off-Grid Hybrid Solar/Wind Renewable System for Power Generation in the South of Iraq

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Thi-Qar, Nassiriyha, Iraq

Abstract

It is crucial to supply electricity to unconnected rural areas. Typically, diesel generator used to supply electricity in these regions. This article involved examination of the same off-grid hybrid PV/WT system in four locations in the Thi-Qar province, Iraq. The data of weather is collected from NASAPOWER for the year 2024, and utilizing HOMER software, a constant load of 40 kW for each site is applied. The maximum yearly mean value of wind speed and temperature is 4.690 m/s and 27.290°C, respectively, both in the 2nd site positioned in east-north of AL-Jebaish district. The greatest yearly mean value of solar radiation is 5.60 kW/m², noticed at the 1st site located east-south of AL-Jebaish district. The result indicated that the 1st scenario, which represents the modelling of the hybrid system in 1st site, is more reliable and with effectiveness of cost because it has potential, as indicated by annual solar irradiation, with a configuration of photovoltaic panels of 148 kW, wind turbines of 170 kW, a converter of 50 kW, and 530 units of battery. Economically, the levelized cost of energy is $0.3603/kWh, the net present value of the project is $2143028, operation cost is $54899.84, and initial capital is $1.21M

Keywords

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