article · Cogent Engineering
Remote communities often struggle with reliable electricity access, prompting interest in decentralised, low-carbon power generation. An assessment of a hybrid energy configuration combining solar photovoltaic panels, biogas, and battery storage was conducted to explore rural electrification options in Ghana. Using optimisation modelling software, the technical, economic, and environmental performance of this renewable mix was evaluated against fossil fuel alternatives. The solar and biogas hybrid setup outperformed both diesel-only and solar-diesel hybrid systems by lowering emissions and reducing overall costs. The generated levelised cost of electricity was calculated at approximately 0.256 dollars per kilowatt-hour, representing a figure about 64 percent higher than standard residential rates in Ghana. Sensitivity testing demonstrated that financial viability improves significantly with favourable discount rates and capital subsidies, suggesting that communities with sufficient biomass resources could viably transition to clean local power under supportive investment conditions.
Expanding electricity access in remote areas remains a critical challenge for health, education, and community well-being. Evaluating combined solar and biogas mini-grids offers planners a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel generators. Demonstrating that locally available renewable resources can reduce emissions while nearing economic feasibility helps decision-makers identify where targeted capital subsidies can effectively bridge off-grid energy access gaps.
This modelling research offers an applied feasibility assessment for rural mini-grid developers, energy utilities, and public infrastructure funders targeting off-grid communities in Ghana. The findings provide system-level benchmarks that are relevant for early-stage project development and site planning where biomass is abundant. Commercial implementation remains contingent on securing capital subsidies and favourable financing terms to bridge the gap between generation costs and standard household electricity tariffs.
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Globally, reliable access to electricity improves people’s well-being, provides quality education, and promotes good health. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel combustion have incited an intense interest in low-carbon technologies for power generation. This study analyses the prospect of utilising a solar PV/biogas/battery hybrid energy system to provide electricity for Ghana’s remote communities. The study goal is to utilise locally available renewable energy resources to achieve a cost-effective levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Hybrid Optimisation of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software was employed to model and analyse the hybrid energy system’s technical, economic, and environmental aspects. The findings indicate that PV/biogas/battery system perform better than PV/diesel/battery and diesel-only systems in terms of cost and emissions reductions. Also, the LCOE generated from the PV/biogas/battery system is around 0.256 $/kWh. However, this LCOE is only about 64% higher than the LCOE for Ghana’s household residents. The sensitivity test indicates that the PV/biogas/battery system is sensitive to discount rates and capital subsidies, making it attractive for future development. This attests that Ghanaian rural communities without electricity access and with substantial biomass potential are likely to be electrified when given the necessary attention. Moreover, this project could be a viable alternative to rural electrification in Ghana with proper investment support.
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DOI: 10.1080/23311916.2022.2034376
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