Hybrid Energy Solution to Improve Irrigation Systems: HY4RES vs. HOMER Optimization Models

João S. T. Coelho, Afonso B. Alves, Jorge G. Morillo, Oscar E. Coronado-Hernández, Modesto Perez-Sanchez () and Helena M. Ramos ()
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João S. T. Coelho: Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Afonso B. Alves: Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Jorge G. Morillo: Department of Agronomy, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
Oscar E. Coronado-Hernández: Instituto de Hidráulica y Saneamiento Ambiental, Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena 130001, Colombia
Modesto Perez-Sanchez: Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Helena M. Ramos: Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS), Instituto Superior Técnico, Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-37

Abstract: A new methodology for hybrid energy systems (HESs) was developed, namely the HY4RES model, tailored for the water sector, covering hybrid energy objective functions and grid or battery support using optimization algorithms in Solver, MATLAB, and Python, with evolutionary methods. HOMER is used for hybrid microgrids and allows for comparison with HY4RES, the newly developed model. Both models demonstrated flexibility in optimizing hybrid renewable solutions. This study analyzed an irrigation system for 3000 m 3 /ha (without renewables ( Base case ) and the Proposed system —with PV solar and pumped-hydropower storage to maximize cash flow over 25 years). Case 1—3000 m 3 /ha presented benefits due to PV supplying ~87% of energy, reducing grid dependency to ~13%. Pumped-hydropower storage (PHS) charges with excess solar energy, ensuring 24 h irrigation. Sensitivity analyses for Case 2—1000—and Case 3—6000 m 3 /ha—highlighted the advantages and limitations of water-energy management and system optimization. Case 2 was the most economical due to lower water-energy needs with noteworthy energy sales (~73.4%) and no need for the grid. Case 3 led to increased operating costs relying heavily on grid energy (61%), with PV providing only 39%. PHS significantly lowered operating costs and enhanced system flexibility by selling excess energy to the grid.

Keywords: irrigation systems; new model HY4RES; HOMER; hybrid renewable energy; PV solar; pumped-hydropower storage (PHS); microgrid optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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