Optimization of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for cost-effective and reliable power supply in Gaita Selassie Ethiopia

Elsabet Ferede Agajie; Takele Ferede Agajie; Isaac Amoussou; Armand Fopah-Lele; Wirnkar Basil Nsanyuy; Baseem Khan; Mohit Bajaj; Ievgen Zaitsev; Emmanuel Tanyi

doi:10.1038/s41598-024-61783-z

Optimization of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for cost-effective and reliable power supply in Gaita Selassie Ethiopia

Sci Rep. 2024 May 13;14(1):10929. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-61783-z.

Authors

Elsabet Ferede Agajie¹, Takele Ferede Agajie^{2

3}, Isaac Amoussou¹, Armand Fopah-Lele⁴, Wirnkar Basil Nsanyuy¹, Baseem Khan⁵, Mohit Bajaj^{6

7

8}, Ievgen Zaitsev^{9

10}, Emmanuel Tanyi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Buea, PO. Box. 63, Buea, Cameroon.
² Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Buea, PO. Box. 63, Buea, Cameroon. takele_ferede@dmu.edu.et.
³ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia. takele_ferede@dmu.edu.et.
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Buea, PO. Box. 63, Buea, Cameroon.
⁵ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
⁶ Department of Electrical Engineering, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, 248002, India. mb.czechia@gmail.com.
⁷ Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman, Jordan. mb.czechia@gmail.com.
⁸ Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, 248002, India. mb.czechia@gmail.com.
⁹ Department of Theoretical Electrical Engineering and Diagnostics of Electrical Equipment, Institute of Electrodynamics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Peremogy, 56, Kyiv-57, 03680, Ukraine. zaitsev@i.ua.
¹⁰ Center for Information-Analytical and Technical Support of Nuclear Power Facilities Monitoring of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Akademika Palladina Avenue, 34-A, Kyiv, Ukraine. zaitsev@i.ua.

PMID: 38740883
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61783-z

Abstract

This paper explores scenarios for powering rural areas in Gaita Selassie with renewable energy plants, aiming to reduce system costs by optimizing component numbers to meet energy demands. Various scenarios, such as combining solar photovoltaic (PV) with pumped hydro-energy storage (PHES), utilizing wind energy with PHES, and integrating a hybrid system of PV, wind, and PHES, have been evaluated based on diverse criteria, encompassing financial aspects and reliability. To achieve the results, meta-heuristics such as the Multiobjective Gray wolf optimization algorithm (MOGWO) and Multiobjective Grasshopper optimization algorithm (MOGOA) were applied using MATLAB software. Moreover, optimal component sizing has been investigated utilizing real-time assessment data and meteorological data from Gaita Sillasie, Ethiopia. Metaheuristic optimization techniques were employed to pinpoint the most favorable loss of power supply probability (LPSP) with the least cost of energy (COE) and total life cycle cost (TLCC) for the hybrid system, all while meeting operational requirements in various scenarios. The Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimization (MOGWO) technique outperformed the Multi-Objective Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (MOGOA) in optimizing the problem, as suggested by the results. Furthermore, based on MOGWO findings, the hybrid solar PV-Wind-PHES system demonstrated the lowest COE (0.126€/kWh) and TLCC (€6,897,300), along with optimal satisfaction of the village's energy demand and LPSP value. In the PV-Wind-PHSS scenario, the TLCC and COE are 38%, 18%, 2%, and 1.5% lower than those for the Wind-PHS and PV-PHSS scenarios at LPSP 0%, according to MOGWO results. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the design and implementation of sustainable energy solutions for remote communities, paving the way for enhanced energy access and environmental sustainability.

Keywords: Cost-effective energy solutions; Hybrid energy systems; Optimization algorithms; Renewable energy systems; Rural electrification.