Multi-Objective Optimization of Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Tom Cherif Bilio, Mahamat Adoum Abdoulaye () and Sebastian Waita
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Tom Cherif Bilio: Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Atmosphère et des Océans Matériaux-énergie-Dispositifs (LSAO-MED), Université Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis P.O. Box 234, Senegal
Mahamat Adoum Abdoulaye: Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya
Sebastian Waita: Department of Physics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-44

Abstract: This study presents a novel multi-objective optimization (MOO) model for the design of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) to support sustainable agriculture and rural development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Based upon a case study selected in Linia (Chad), three system architectures are compared under different levels of the reliability requirements (LPSP = 1%, 5%, and 10%). A Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is applied to optimize the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), CO 2 emissions mitigation, and social impact, referring to the Human Development Index (HDI) enhancement and the job creation (JC) opportunity, using the MATLAB R2024b environment. The calculation results show that among the three configuration schemes, the PV–Wind–Battery configuration obtains the optimal techno–economic–environmental coordination, with the lowest LCOE (0.0948 $/kWh) and the largest CO 2 emission reduction (9.58 × 10 8 kg), and the Wind–Battery system gets the most social benefit. The method developed provides users with a decision-support method for renewable energy systems (RES) integration into rural agricultural settings, taking into consideration financial cost, environmental sustainability, and community development. This information is important for policymakers and practitioners advocating for decentralized, socially inclusive clean energy access initiatives in underserved regions.

Keywords: multi-objective optimization; multi criteria optimization; off-grid electrification; sustainable agriculture; CO 2 emissions avoidance; rural energy access; social benefit (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: 2025
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