Techno-Economic Analysis of a Solar-Pumped Hydro Storage and Solar Photovoltaic System

Abstract

The Nigerian residential electricity consumer is faced with the challenge of ensuring a continuous and dependable power supply at the most cost-effective rate. Standalone renewable energy systems coupled with efficient energy storage systems have emerged as the best available solution. This research evaluates and compares two energy storage technologies, namely batteries and pumped hydro storage (PHS), for a solar-powered supply system for a typical Nigerian household consumer. To achieve this, the total energy consumption of a small household electricity consumption was first determined by developing a load profile using the various electrical appliances present in the building and their working hours. The load profile was then used to size and optimize both the battery and pumped hydro storage systems. The life-cycle costs of both options were calculated based on the various sizes and values of their components. The analysis shows that the pumped hydro storage system is not noly economically and environmentally beneficial to the consumers but also more cost-effective, has the lowest life-cycle cost, and can provide continuous power supply for small households