IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i19p5058-d1756333.html

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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Cherif Bilio & Mahamat Adoum Abdoulaye & Sebastian Waita, 2025. "Multi-Objective Optimization of Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-44, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5058-:d:1756333
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/19/5058/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/19/5058/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Laetitia Uwineza & Hyun-Goo Kim & Jan Kleissl & Chang Ki Kim, 2022. "Technical Control and Optimal Dispatch Strategy for a Hybrid Energy System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Sokolnikova, P. & Lombardi, P. & Arendarski, B. & Suslov, K. & Pantaleo, A.M. & Kranhold, M. & Komarnicki, P., 2020. "Net-zero multi-energy systems for Siberian rural communities: A methodology to size thermal and electric storage units," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 979-989.
    3. Mohammad Shafiey Dehaj & Hassan Hajabdollahi, 2021. "Multi-objective optimization of hybrid solar/wind/diesel/battery system for different climates of Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(7), pages 10910-10936, July.
    4. Sergio Bruno & Maria Dicorato & Massimo La Scala & Roberto Sbrizzai & Pio Alessandro Lombardi & Bartlomiej Arendarski, 2019. "Optimal Sizing and Operation of Electric and Thermal Storage in a Net Zero Multi Energy System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-16, September.
    5. Mandelli, Stefano & Barbieri, Jacopo & Mereu, Riccardo & Colombo, Emanuela, 2016. "Off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Definitions, classification and a comprehensive literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1621-1646.
    6. Rodríguez-Gallegos, Carlos D. & Gandhi, Oktoviano & Bieri, Monika & Reindl, Thomas & Panda, S.K., 2018. "A diesel replacement strategy for off-grid systems based on progressive introduction of PV and batteries: An Indonesian case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 1218-1232.
    7. Dufo-López, Rodolfo & Cristóbal-Monreal, Iván R. & Yusta, José M., 2016. "Optimisation of PV-wind-diesel-battery stand-alone systems to minimise cost and maximise human development index and job creation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 280-293.
    8. Gangopadhyay, Anasuya & Seshadri, Ashwin K. & Patil, Balachandra, 2024. "Wind-solar-storage trade-offs in a decarbonizing electricity system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PA).
    9. Adoum Abdoulaye, Mahamat & Waita, Sebastian & Wabuge Wekesa, Cyrus & Mwabora, Julius Mwakondo, 2024. "Optimal sizing of an off-grid and grid-connected hybrid photovoltaic-wind system with battery and fuel cell storage system: A techno-economic, environmental, and social assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 365(C).
    10. Bekele, Getachew & Palm, Björn, 2010. "Feasibility study for a standalone solar-wind-based hybrid energy system for application in Ethiopia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 487-495, February.
    11. Wei, Max & Patadia, Shana & Kammen, Daniel M., 2010. "Putting renewables and energy efficiency to work: How many jobs can the clean energy industry generate in the US?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 919-931, February.
    12. Bhandari, Ramchandra & Shah, Ronak Rakesh, 2021. "Hydrogen as energy carrier: Techno-economic assessment of decentralized hydrogen production in Germany," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 915-931.
    13. Ramli, Makbul A.M. & Hiendro, Ayong & Sedraoui, Khaled & Twaha, Ssennoga, 2015. "Optimal sizing of grid-connected photovoltaic energy system in Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 489-495.
    14. Sawle, Yashwant & Gupta, S.C. & Bohre, Aashish Kumar, 2018. "Socio-techno-economic design of hybrid renewable energy system using optimization techniques," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 459-472.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Adoum Abdoulaye, Mahamat & Waita, Sebastian & Wabuge Wekesa, Cyrus & Mwabora, Julius Mwakondo, 2024. "Optimal sizing of an off-grid and grid-connected hybrid photovoltaic-wind system with battery and fuel cell storage system: A techno-economic, environmental, and social assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 365(C).
    2. Silinto, Berino Francisco & van der Laag Yamu, Claudia & Zuidema, Christian & Faaij, André P.C., 2025. "Hybrid renewable energy systems for rural electrification in developing countries: A review on energy system models and spatial explicit modelling tools," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    3. Zhang, Zhenying & Gang, Wenjie & Zhang, Ying & Yuan, Jiaqi, 2023. "Performance analysis of zero-emission integrated energy system for low-density residential building clusters," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).
    4. Hassan, Rakibul & Das, Barun K. & Hasan, Mahmudul, 2022. "Integrated off-grid hybrid renewable energy system optimization based on economic, environmental, and social indicators for sustainable development," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    5. Khan, Faizan A. & Pal, Nitai & Saeed, Syed H., 2021. "Optimization and sizing of SPV/Wind hybrid renewable energy system: A techno-economic and social perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    6. Bahramara, S. & Moghaddam, M. Parsa & Haghifam, M.R., 2016. "Optimal planning of hybrid renewable energy systems using HOMER: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 609-620.
    7. Das, Pronob & Das, Barun K. & Rahman, Mushfiqur & Hassan, Rakibul, 2022. "Evaluating the prospect of utilizing excess energy and creating employments from a hybrid energy system meeting electricity and freshwater demands using multi-objective evolutionary algorithms," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    8. Sudip Chowdhury & Aashish Kumar Bohre & Akshay Kumar Saha, 2025. "Meta-Heuristic Optimization for Hybrid Renewable Energy System in Durgapur: Performance Comparison of GWO, TLBO, and MOPSO," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-28, July.
    9. Rahmat Khezri & Amin Mahmoudi & Hirohisa Aki & S. M. Muyeen, 2021. "Optimal Planning of Remote Area Electricity Supply Systems: Comprehensive Review, Recent Developments and Future Scopes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-29, September.
    10. Sawle, Yashwant & Gupta, S.C. & Bohre, Aashish Kumar, 2018. "Socio-techno-economic design of hybrid renewable energy system using optimization techniques," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 459-472.
    11. Urbano, Eva M. & Martinez-Viol, Victor & Kampouropoulos, Konstantinos & Romeral, Luis, 2022. "Risk assessment of energy investment in the industrial framework – Uncertainty and Sensitivity Analysis for energy design and operation optimisation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PA).
    12. Syed Ali Abbas Kazmi & Muhammad Khuram Shahzad & Akif Zia Khan & Dong Ryeol Shin, 2017. "Smart Distribution Networks: A Review of Modern Distribution Concepts from a Planning Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-47, April.
    13. Lin, Yaoting & Zhou, Wei, 2026. "A stochastic cloud-driven clustering sizing method for a hybrid photovoltaic/battery energy system integrated with electric bus charge station: A case study for China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).
    14. Thirunavukkarasu, M. & Sawle, Yashwant & Lala, Himadri, 2023. "A comprehensive review on optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems using various optimization techniques," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    15. Zubi, Ghassan & Fracastoro, Gian Vincenzo & Lujano-Rojas, Juan M. & El Bakari, Khalil & Andrews, David, 2019. "The unlocked potential of solar home systems; an effective way to overcome domestic energy poverty in developing regions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 1425-1435.
    16. Yilmaz, Saban & Dincer, Furkan, 2017. "Optimal design of hybrid PV-Diesel-Battery systems for isolated lands: A case study for Kilis, Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 344-352.
    17. Wang, Fengjuan & Xu, Jiuping & Liu, Liying & Yin, Guangming & Wang, Jianhua & Yan, Jinyue, 2021. "Optimal design and operation of hybrid renewable energy system for drinking water treatment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    18. Yimy E. García-Vera & Rodolfo Dufo-López & José L. Bernal-Agustín, 2020. "Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis through Optimization Strategies and Load Shifting in Isolated Hybrid Microgrids with Renewable Energy for the Non-Interconnected Zone (NIZ) of Colombia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.
    19. Murillo-Alvarado, Pascual Eduardo & Ponce-Ortega, José María, 2022. "An optimization approach to increase the human development index through a biogas supply chain in a developing region," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 347-357.
    20. Jung, Jaesung & Villaran, Michael, 2017. "Optimal planning and design of hybrid renewable energy systems for microgrids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 180-191.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5058-:d:1756333. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.