Hybrid Energy System Design for Enhanced Sustainability in Rigolet, Newfoundland and Labrador
Journal Title: Opportunities and Challenges in Sustainability - Year 2024, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Amid growing concerns over global climate change and the need for sustainable infrastructure development, remote communities such as Rigolet in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), which primarily rely on diesel generators, face unique challenges and opportunities. This study proposes a transition to a hybrid energy system (HES) that integrates wind and solar energy with battery storage and diesel generator backups. The feasibility and implications of this transformation in Rigolet were assessed using HOMER Pro software, contrasting it with the current diesel-centric model. The feasibility, environmental impact, and economic implications of implementing a HES in Rigolet were thoroughly examined. The methodology employed includes a detailed simulation and optimization of the HES configuration suitable for 125 households with a population of 327. The findings reveal that integrating wind and solar electricity with the existing diesel infrastructure, coupled with battery storage, reduced diesel consumption by 352 tons per year and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions by 929 tons per year. Additionally, other pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Particulate Matter (PM), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), and Nitrogen Oxide (NO) were significantly reduced. The proposed system demonstrates a reasonable Net Present Cost (NPC) of $5.17 million with a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) of $0.22/kWh. This shift towards a HES not only illustrates significant environmental advantages and an increase in the percentage of renewable energy but also provides economic benefits through cost reductions over the long term compared to the existing diesel-dependent configuration. The proposed system provides a reliable and sustainable energy solution for Rigolet, presenting a replicable and innovative model for other similar remote locations aiming for a greener future.
Authors and Affiliations
Dipak Timalsina, Siddhanth Kotian, Davoud Ghahremanlou
Keywords
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- EP ID EP740741
- DOI https://doi.org/10.56578/ocs030204
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