Techno-economic assessment and optimization framework with energy storage for hybrid energy resources in base transceiver stations-based infrastructure across various climatic regions at a country scale

Renewable energy presents a sustainable solution for tackling both energy access and environmental issues. Hybrid off-grid systems appear to be a promising concept for addressing energy security and balancing issues in many localities across the world in the presence of unreliable supply from the utility grid. Therefore, the undermining of enormous renewable potential in developing countries especially Pakistan compelled to rely on traditional energy sources, which give rise to notable socio-economic challenges for many sectors. In the context of the telecom sector especially Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), hybrid renewable energy systems can ensure a stable power output by combining different energy sources, which is crucial for providing a reliable and uninterrupted power supply. Furthermore, the deployment of such a system has the potential to lower the operational expenses and environmental concerns of BTS that presently heavily depend on diesel generators with battery storage backup. This study introduces a comprehensive framework for implementing a large-scale hybrid (solar, wind, and battery) based standalone systems for the BTS encapsulation telecom sector. Based on the actual load profiles, the framework presents a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation of 35 independent sites located in the North, South, and Central regions of Pakistan with the aims of minimize the primary parameters including net present cost (NPC), Levelized cost of energy (LCOE), operational costs, diesel generator’ operating hours, and capacity shortage fraction. Optimal results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system coupled with a diesel generator having the battery storage system remains the most feasible option for Central and Northern regions with an average LCOE of 0.1267 $/kWh to 0.1815 $/kWh. Due to the significance of wind profile, mainly in the South region, a hybrid energy system (solar, wind, diesel, and battery) remains the most optimal option with an average LCOE of 0.1096 $/kWh to 0.1294 $/kWh. The proposed study can serve as a guide for decision-making and policy optimization for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as for public and private investors.