Design and Optimization of a Renewable Energy System for an Industrial Building in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Research and development of efficient, reliable, and cost-effective renewable technologies is lagging in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) and data required for implementation is limited. This investigation will help in bridging this gap through the design and optimization of different RE systems for a small industrial business in the city of San Fernando in Trinidad and Tobago. In this study, different RE energy systems (wind, PV, and hybrid) are designed, simulated, and optimized using the Homer Pro Software with a least cost objective function. The resource availability data was accessed through the software from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In the “as is” or base case scenario, with the subsidized electricity cost of US$ 0.06/kWh, the site was found to use approximately 21,535 kWh at an annual cost of US$ 1,292 and associated CO₂ emissions of 13,610 kg.

At this present subsidized cost of electricity and without grid sellback, of all the RE systems analysed, only the wind system was economical, with a cost of energy (COE) of US$ 0.0443/kWh and RE penetration of 82.6%. However, though demonstrated to be economically feasible, the wind system was not technically feasible, as the site lacks the required space and to accommodate a wind turbine.

Without grid sellback, the solar PV system was economical at a much higher COE of US$ 0.339/kWh with a lower RE penetration of 44.2%. This indicated that there would be no financial benefit to adopt a solar PV system at the site at both the subsidized rate and estimated unsubsidized rate of electricity ($US 0.12/kWh).

When grid sell back is considered, the PV system is economical at a much lower COE of US$ 0.252/kWh (with a grid price of US$ 0.33/kWh at a sellback rate of US$ 0.22/kWh) with associated higher RE penetration of 62.2%.