Techno-economic analysis of renewable energy sources’ potential in the rural northern region of Kalam in Pakistan

In the face of escalating global energy demands and the unpredictable nature of renewable resources, the quest for sustainable and reliable power solutions has never been more pressing. Hybrid power systems, which integrate multiple energy sources, have emerged as a beacon of hope, particularly for remote and rural regions with limited or no connection to the national power grid. This study provides an in-depth analysis to determine the optimal hybrid energy system, considering diesel, wind, solar, and hydro sources, for a local load of 20 kW in the rural area of Bankhwar Utrar in Kalam, Pakistan. The study considered the energy profile for an entire year while the research was conducted from September to December 2022. Economic, technical, operational, and geographical parameters were evaluated during the system design and optimization. Eight distinct systems, derived from various source combinations, were designed. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) technique, considering power output, net present cost (NPC), the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was employed to determine the most reliable and sustainable system for the specified location. The highest ranking optimal system comprised a hybrid of solar PV, wind turbine, hydro turbine, and battery bank. This system not only championed economic efficiency with an NPC of $166,173.78 and an LCOE of 0.14$/kWh but also stood out as an environmental steward with zero GHG emissions. In stark contrast, the traditional system of the diesel generator and the PV/generator ranked last, both economically and environmentally, with NPCs of $425216 and $397445, LCOEs of 0.36$/kWh and 0.32$/kWh, and GHG emissions of 86168 kg/year and 72097 kg/year, respectively.