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Achieving Techno-Economic Feasibility for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems through the Production of Energy and Alternative Fuels

Author

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  • Ekua Afrakoma Armoo

    (Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
    Council for Scientific and Industrial Research—Institute of Industrial Research, Accra P.O. Box LG 576, Ghana)

  • Mutala Mohammed

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research—Institute of Industrial Research, Accra P.O. Box LG 576, Ghana)

  • Satyanarayana Narra

    (Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany)

  • Essossinam Beguedou

    (Department of Waste and Resource Management, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany)

  • Francis Boateng Agyenim

    (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research—Institute of Industrial Research, Accra P.O. Box LG 576, Ghana)

  • Francis Kemausuor

    (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), PMB, Kumasi AK-039-5028, Ghana)

Abstract

In developing countries like Ghana, the conversion of waste into energy is gaining greater interest among policy makers and researchers. The present study investigates the feasibility of producing electricity and/or fuels from a hybrid waste-to-energy pilot plant located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The plant integrates three technologies: anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis and solar PV. The plant has the potential to produce both energy and fuels such as green hydrogen, refuse derived fuels, bio-compressed natural gas and compost. Thus, this study compares the financial feasibility of three scenarios—generating electricity and fuels, generating electricity alone and generating fuels alone—by modelling their energy output and financial performance using RETSCREEN expert 6.0.7.55 and Microsoft Excel 2019 softwares. The results indicate that the multiple products of electricity and fuels provide higher investment interest with a Net Present Value in excess of EUR 13 million and a payback period of 12 years compared to the electricity-only model. Also, converting electricity into fuels alone also provides substantial benefits which can be explored. However, the Levelized Cost of Energy, ranging from 0.3 to 0.68 EUR/kWh, is far above the average residential End User tariff. Overall, this study provides an important methodology for assessing the potential products of future projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Ekua Afrakoma Armoo & Mutala Mohammed & Satyanarayana Narra & Essossinam Beguedou & Francis Boateng Agyenim & Francis Kemausuor, 2024. "Achieving Techno-Economic Feasibility for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems through the Production of Energy and Alternative Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:3:p:735-:d:1332895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. García, R. & Gil, M.V. & Rubiera, F. & Chen, D. & Pevida, C., 2021. "Renewable hydrogen production from biogas by sorption enhanced steam reforming (SESR): A parametric study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
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    3. Murphy, J. D. & McKeogh, E. & Kiely, G., 2004. "Technical/economic/environmental analysis of biogas utilisation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(4), pages 407-427, April.
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    5. Essossinam Beguedou & Satyanarayana Narra & Ekua Afrakoma Armoo & Komi Agboka & Mani Kongnine Damgou, 2023. "Alternative Fuels Substitution in Cement Industries for Improved Energy Efficiency and Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-29, April.
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    1. Ayiguzhali Tuluhong & Qingpu Chang & Lirong Xie & Zhisen Xu & Tengfei Song, 2024. "Current Status of Green Hydrogen Production Technology: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-47, October.

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