Determination of the optimum hybrid renewable power generating systems for Kavakli campus of Kirklareli University, Turkey

Abstract

This study is to search for possibilities of supplying the load demand of Kavakli campus of Kirklareli University with solar energy and the fuel cell power generating system (electrolyzer/hydrogen tank/fuel cell) by using the HOMER software due to the fact that hybrid power systems with renewables can significantly reduce emissions which are caused by utilization of non-renewable power sources. In this study, various hybrid systems will be examined and compared among themselves considering cost of energy (COE), renewable fraction, total net present cost (NPC) and hydrogen production. Additionally, this study will seek whether a fuel cell can be integrated into the hybrid systems. According to the study results, the grid connected systems appear cost-effective as expected. Although the grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) hybrid system has the lowest COE and NPC, the grid-connected PV/fuel cell hybrid system with COE, 0.294$/kWh has a slightly higher cost than the optimum one. It is strongly believed that this system may be chosen because it is a cleaner system and its emissions are fairly low. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.