OFF-GRID ELECTRICITY GENERATION WITH HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES IN IRAQ: AN APPLICATION OF HOMER

Abstract

The current power system in Iraq used fossil fuels that effect an environmentally, also the power generated does not cover the power demand. In the other hand, to reduce the gap between the generation and the power demand suggested renewable energy alternative sources adding to power system, renewable energy is zero pollution. The purpose of this proposal is to find the preferable hybrid technology combination by a hybrid renewable energy resources for electricity generation to satisfy the electrical needs in a reliable manner of an off grid choosing small town, Bald Ruz in the state of Diyala, Iraq as case study. Three renewable resources, namely, solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, with natural gas generator are considered. The software used HOMER that offers optimal solution from the types of resources. The proposal estimates COE of energy of the optimized system is $0.998/kWh for stand-alone and $0.2/kWh for hybrid grid system. The PV system represents around 42% of power production small percentage for wind turbine that reaches to 6%.