Evaluating HOMER Software's Decision-Making Capabilities in Terms of Ecological Impact and Financial Benefits

Abstract

The need to protect the environment against human-induced pollution is no longer to be demonstrated. Radical solutions are expected soon to mitigate the impact of climate change in the first step and then gradually improve the ecological situation in the second step. Several efforts on the part of governments and the scientific community are being deployed to better serve the planet. It is in this sense that this work is registered to bring a contribution to this field of study. What it is particularly intriguing about this work is its critical examination of a well-known software, aiming to underscore a significant finding that has been corroborated by multiple simulations even before this study. These simulations reveal that the so-called "best" proposals generated by the software are not as environmentally friendly as one might expect. While these solutions may be economically advantageous, they often fall short in terms of environmental sustainability. The primary aspiration for this work is that, through certain modifications to the algorithms, the platform can introduce a separate option. This option would cater to individuals who are more concerned with environmental respect, allowing them to take advantage of the benefits offered by the platform alongside those who prioritize profit. This work draws inspiration from a recently published paper titled "Ecological impact due to the implementation of a modeled and optimized hybrid system." In comparison to the previous work, this current study provides a wealth of additional details and aspires to make available to the general public a method that stands as a post-Homer study, while offering solutions tailored to those whose concerns lean more towards the well-being of our planet than financial gains.