Economic Planning for Remote Community Microgrid Containing Solar PV, Biomass Gasifier and Microhydro

Remote and scattered population of Pakistan have no access to national grid, while grid extension to these areas is an uphill task. Most people in far flung areas live without electricity, where decentralized generation based on renewable sources is the only way for the provision of electricity. The renewable energies are site specific and climate dependent therefore; integrated renewable energy system are deployed which can play significant role in bringing prosperity to the poverty stricken people lives by meeting their energy demands. Due to the stochastic behavior of renewable energy sources hybrid energy systems are preferred because it is more reliable and efficient. This paper deals with the economic planning of hybrid energy system of such that in the absence of one source the other can take over for cost effective energy production. We have performed economic analysis of three renewable sources Solar PV, Biomass and microhydro in HOMER. A comparative analysis is made taking into account the pros and cons of each hybrid model and best possible hybrid energy system is selected for the proposed project site. It is evident from the simulation results that hybrid energy system is more reliable and prominent solution towards the worse energy crises of the nation.