Enhancing Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System Designs for Power Generation in Desert Environments: Case Study of Adrar, Algeria

Abstract

Renewable technologies are essential for sustainable energy development, as they reduce dependence on fossil fuel reserves, improve global energy security, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose of this study is to design a stand-alone hybrid solar, wind, and fuel cell power system for a shopping center in Adrar, Algeria with a capacity of 11.26 kWh/day. The proposed optimal design study focuses on optimizing the technical and economic performance based on the lowest total net present cost and energy cost using HOMER Pro software. The results showed that the optimal design consists of 1.91 kW photovoltaic array, five wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3 kW, a 1.77 kW converter, a 10 kW electrolyzer, a 10 kg hydrogen tank, and 10 kW fuel cells. The results revealed that the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and net present cost (NPC) of this design are 0.8$ and 45589$, respectively. Additionally, as indicated by the national power supplier Sonelgaz, the overall cost of our suggested hybrid system offers a cheap price, particularly in locations more than one km from the electrical grid.