article · IEEE Access
A technical, environmental, and economic evaluation assesses the feasibility of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems to supply electricity to three communities on Manoka Island, Cameroon. The study evaluates the energy needs of 334 households, representing an average daily consumption of 1082.90 kWh and a peak load of 183.99 kW, seeking an alternative to expensive and polluting diesel generation. Using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables programme, the optimal configuration integrates solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, fuel cell generators, biogas, and an electrolyser. This system configuration operates without idle load, delivering a unit energy cost of $0.1981 and a net present value of $2,209,741. Over a 25-year operational term, the setup incorporates 201 batteries and delivers a project profit of $57,387, an internal rate of return of 9.09 percent, a return on investment of 6.19 percent, and an 8.76-year payback period.
Remote and island communities often suffer from severe power deficits and depend on costly, polluting diesel generators. By identifying a practical, multi-source renewable setup that eliminates idle load, this research offers a concrete pathway to achieving reliable, zero-emission electricity with clear economic viability for off-grid settlements facing similar geographical and infrastructural constraints.
The work provides a techno-economic blueprint for mini-grid developers, rural electrification authorities, and infrastructure investors targeting off-grid island electrification. Because the findings are derived from HOMER simulation software rather than a physical pilot deployment, the solution sits at the applied planning and pre-feasibility stage, offering validated design parameters ready to inform engineering procurement and site-level investment decisions.
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The lack of accessible and reliable electrical energy in Cameroon has become a pervasive obstacle to the nation’s progress, with energy availability, quality, and cost identified as key hindrances to development over the past 15 years. Conventional solutions that rely on combustion engines and electrochemical storage systems have proven to be cost-prohibitive, limited in power output, and constrained in capacity. The dependence on traditional diesel generators has perpetuated maintenance challenges and a continuous demand for fuel supply, while the accompanying noise and pollution have restricted their use in residential areas. Recognizing the imperative of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and curbing greenhouse gas emissions, the need for clean and sustainable energy sources has emerged as a critical concern for the advancement of civilization. Against this backdrop, this research endeavors to identify the most cost-effective and efficient blend of renewable energy sources capable of meeting the power requirements of three small communities on Manoka Island, a district of Douala, Cameroon. Through a comprehensive technical, environmental, and economic analysis, this study addresses the substantial energy needs of 334 households, with an average daily power consumption of 1082.90 kWh and a peak electrical load of 183.99 kW. Leveraging the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) program, this investigation assesses the feasibility of implementing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) to meet the region’s energy demands. The research highlights the most optimal scenario integrating solar panels, wind turbines, battery cells, fuel cell generators, biogas, and an electrolyzer within an off-grid HRES system. Notably, the study demonstrated an absence of idle load, resulting in remarkably low unit energy costs of $0.1981 and a compelling net present value of $2,209,741. The cost-effective arrangement featured 201 batteries, yielding a project profit of $57,387, with an impressive Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.09%, Return on Investment (ROI) of 6.19%, and a payback period of 8.76 years over a 25-year term. In essence, the insights gleaned from this exploration of hybrid energy systems represent a pioneering case study in sustainable electricity provision. This research significantly contributes to the knowledge base on renewable energy within the nation, underscoring its tremendous potential for sustainable development and energy security.
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DOI: 10.1109/access.2023.3332693
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