Feasibility study of using a biogas engine as backup in a decentralized hybrid (PV/wind/battery) power generation system : Case study Kenya

• In this study, a hybrid power system consisting of PV (Photovoltaics) panels, a wind turbine and a biogas engine is proposed to supply the electricity demand of a village in Kenya. The average and the peak load of the village are around 8kW and 16.5kW respectively.The feasibility of using locally produced biogas to drive a backup engine in comparison to using a diesel engine as backup has been explored through a techno-economic analysis using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables). This hybrid system has also been compared with a single diesel based power system.The results show that the hybrid system integrated with the biogas engine as backup can be a better solution than using a diesel engine as backup. The share of power generation by PV, wind and biogas are 49%, 19% and 32%, respectively. The LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity) of generated electricity by this hybrid system ($0.25/kWh) is about 20% cheaper than that with a diesel engine as backup ($0.31/kWh), while the capital cost and the total NPC (Net Present Cost) are about 30% and 18% lower, respectively.Regarding CO2 emissions, using a biogas engine as backup saves 17 tons of CO2 per year compared to using the diesel engine as backup.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Biogas engine

Decentralized energy system

HOMER

Polygeneration

Rural electrification

Techno-economic optimization

Energiteknik

Energy Technology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)