Small-Scale Hybrid Photovoltaic-Biomass Systems Feasibility Analysis for Higher Education Buildings

David Alfonso-Solar, Carlos Vargas-Salgado, Carlos Sánchez-Díaz and Elías Hurtado-Pérez
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David Alfonso-Solar: University Institute for Research in Energy Engineering (IUIEE), Technical University of Valencia, Camino de vera s/n, edificio 8E, bloque F, 5º, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Carlos Vargas-Salgado: University Institute for Research in Energy Engineering (IUIEE), Technical University of Valencia, Camino de vera s/n, edificio 8E, bloque F, 5º, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Carlos Sánchez-Díaz: University Institute for Research in Energy Engineering (IUIEE), Technical University of Valencia, Camino de vera s/n, edificio 8E, bloque F, 5º, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Elías Hurtado-Pérez: University Institute for Research in Energy Engineering (IUIEE), Technical University of Valencia, Camino de vera s/n, edificio 8E, bloque F, 5º, 46022 Valencia, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-14

Abstract: Applications of renewable electricity in cities are mostly limited to photovoltaics, and they need other renewable sources, batteries, and the grid to guarantee reliability. This paper proposes a hybrid system, combining biomass and photovoltaics, to supply electricity to educational buildings. This system is reliable and provides at least 50% of electricity based on renewable sources. Buildings with small (<500 kW) installed power based on renewables, mainly biomass, are usually expensive. Besides, in urban areas, photovoltaic capacity is limited due to roof availability. This paper analyzes different configurations, meeting these constraints to obtain an economically feasible solution based on photovoltaic-biomass modelling of small size hybrid systems. The technology used for biomass energy valorization is a fluidized bed gasification power plant, which has been modelled with real data obtained from experimental tests and previous research projects. Thereby, real costs and electric efficiency are included in the model. The techno-economic feasibility analysis using HOMER software with metered real load curves from an educational building has been modelled. The results of the model show that hybrid renewable systems are very feasible in the scenario of 50% of electricity contribution, however, higher contribution (>70%) implies high electricity costs.

Keywords: higher education buildings; Hybrid systems; Renewables systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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