Study the Implementation of Hybrid PV/Wind System in Hot Region, Low Wind Speed; Challenges, Obstacles, and Prospects; Case of Samawah, Iraq

Abstract

This work is conducted to analyze the economic feasibility and profitability of a hybrid energy system (consisting of PV panels, wind turbines, hydrogen fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, and converter) to provide clean electrical power and store the excess electricity for later uses. To achieve the purpose of this research, the HOMER optimizations and simulations software was used. The major results of this study revealed the levelized cost of energy. LCOE and economic feasibility of a hybrid system consisting of wind turbine, lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and converter reached a value of 0.05172 USD/kWh, indicating higher profitability and improved feasibility. Also, the LCOE and economic feasibility of case 1 consisting of a hybrid system consisting of solar PV panels, wind turbine, lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and converter reached a value of 0.05229 USD/kWh, indicating less profitability and improved feasibility than case 1. Furthermore, findings confirmed that using a wind turbine, solar PV panels, hydrogen fuel cells, and lithium-ion batteries provides higher economic feasibility, which is mirrored by a low value of the LCOE. In addition, the study affirmed that there is no greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulted from using solar PV system and wind turbines throughout the year, as no diesel generator is used. Finally, results indicated that using energy storage technology such as hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries would achieve higher system profitability due to the storage of clean electrical power for later use.