IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i17p12800-d1224000.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimizing a Green and Sustainable Off-Grid Energy-System Design: A Real Case

Author

Listed:
  • Nickyar Ghadirinejad

    (School of Business, Engineering and Science, Halmstad University, SE 30118 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Fredric Ottermo

    (School of Business, Engineering and Science, Halmstad University, SE 30118 Halmstad, Sweden)

  • Raheleh Nowzari

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul 34295, Turkey)

  • Naif Alsaadi

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Rabigh Branch, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mazyar Ghadiri Nejad

    (Industrial Engineering Department, Cyprus International University, Nicosia 99258, Turkey)

Abstract

In recent years, unquestionable warnings like the negative effects of CO 2 emissions, the necessity of utilizing sustainable energy sources, and the rising demand for municipal electrification have been issued. Therefore, users are encouraged to provide off-grid and sustainable energy systems for their own homes and businesses, especially if they are located rurally and far from grids. Hence, this study aims to design an off-grid hybrid energy system, in order to minimize both the baseline cost of energy and the net current expenditure in the desired system. To construct such a system, wind generators (WG), photovoltaic arrays (PV), battery banks, and bi-directional converters are considered in the real case of a supermarket with a 20-year lifespan in Malmö, Sweden. Some significant assumptions, such as the usage of renewable energy resources only, electricity production close to the business location, and a maximum allowance of 0.1% unmet are incorporated. To optimize the considered problem, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach as developed to provide the load requirements and establish the number of WGs, PVs, and other equipment. Moreover, to verify the obtained results, the developed system was simulated using HOMER Pro software, and the results are compared and discussed. The results indicated that the designed hybrid energy system is able to perform completely off-grid, while satisfying 99.9% of the yearly electricity demand. The best results obtained by the proposed PSO offered 160, 5, and 350 PVs, WGs, and batteries, respectively, while the best solution found by the simulation method was the use of 384 PVs, 5 WGs, and 189 batteries for the considered off-grid system. This study contributes to decentralized local electrification by utilizing renewable energy sources that have the potential to revolutionize green energy solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nickyar Ghadirinejad & Fredric Ottermo & Raheleh Nowzari & Naif Alsaadi & Mazyar Ghadiri Nejad, 2023. "Optimizing a Green and Sustainable Off-Grid Energy-System Design: A Real Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12800-:d:1224000
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/12800/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/12800/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Garcia, Raquel S. & Weisser, Daniel, 2006. "A wind–diesel system with hydrogen storage: Joint optimisation of design and dispatch," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(14), pages 2296-2320.
    2. Matina Ghasemi & Mazyar Ghadiri Nejad & Naif Alsaadi & Mu’tasim Abdel-Jaber & Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid & Mamun Habib & Alireza Goli, 2022. "Performance Measurment and Lead-Time Reduction in EPC Project-Based Organizations: A Mathematical Modeling Approach," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2022, pages 1-15, February.
    3. Akella, A.K. & Sharma, M.P. & Saini, R.P., 2007. "Optimum utilization of renewable energy sources in a remote area," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(5), pages 894-908, June.
    4. Ekren, Orhan & Ekren, Banu Y., 2010. "Size optimization of a PV/wind hybrid energy conversion system with battery storage using simulated annealing," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(2), pages 592-598, February.
    5. Elliston, Ben & MacGill, Iain & Diesendorf, Mark, 2013. "Least cost 100% renewable electricity scenarios in the Australian National Electricity Market," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 270-282.
    6. Bendu, Harisankar & Deepak, B.B.V.L. & Murugan, S., 2017. "Multi-objective optimization of ethanol fuelled HCCI engine performance using hybrid GRNN–PSO," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 601-611.
    7. Isa, Normazlina Mat & Das, Himadry Shekhar & Tan, Chee Wei & Yatim, A.H.M. & Lau, Kwan Yiew, 2016. "A techno-economic assessment of a combined heat and power photovoltaic/fuel cell/battery energy system in Malaysia hospital," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 75-90.
    8. Zhang, Xizheng & Wang, Zeyu & Lu, Zhangyu, 2022. "Multi-objective load dispatch for microgrid with electric vehicles using modified gravitational search and particle swarm optimization algorithm," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    9. Diaf, S. & Diaf, D. & Belhamel, M. & Haddadi, M. & Louche, A., 2007. "A methodology for optimal sizing of autonomous hybrid PV/wind system," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(11), pages 5708-5718, November.
    10. Delgarm, N. & Sajadi, B. & Kowsary, F. & Delgarm, S., 2016. "Multi-objective optimization of the building energy performance: A simulation-based approach by means of particle swarm optimization (PSO)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 293-303.
    11. Wang, Rui & Li, Guozheng & Ming, Mengjun & Wu, Guohua & Wang, Ling, 2017. "An efficient multi-objective model and algorithm for sizing a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 2288-2299.
    12. Huang, Nantian & Zhao, Xuanyuan & Guo, Yu & Cai, Guowei & Wang, Rijun, 2023. "Distribution network expansion planning considering a distributed hydrogen-thermal storage system based on photovoltaic development of the Whole County of China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    13. Lv, Song & Zhang, Bolong & Ji, Yishuang & Ren, Juwen & Yang, Jiahao & Lai, Yin & Chang, Zhihao, 2023. "Comprehensive research on a high performance solar and radiative cooling driving thermoelectric generator system with concentration for passive power generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    14. Lorestani, A. & Ardehali, M.M., 2018. "Optimization of autonomous combined heat and power system including PVT, WT, storages, and electric heat utilizing novel evolutionary particle swarm optimization algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 490-503.
    15. Iniyan, S. & Suganthi, L. & Samuel, Anand A., 2006. "Energy models for commercial energy prediction and substitution of renewable energy sources," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(17), pages 2640-2653, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ji, Chongxing, 2025. "Design, techno-economic feasibility analysis, and sensitivity study of an off-grid hybrid microgrid for developing communities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).

    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. Maleki, Akbar & Pourfayaz, Fathollah & Rosen, Marc A., 2016. "A novel framework for optimal design of hybrid renewable energy-based autonomous energy systems: A case study for Namin, Iran," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 168-180.
    2. Mohtasim, Md. Shahriar & Das, Barun K. & Paul, Utpol K. & Kibria, Md. Golam & Hossain, Md Sanowar, 2025. "Hybrid renewable multi-generation system optimization: Attaining sustainable development goals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    3. Erdinc, O. & Uzunoglu, M., 2012. "Optimum design of hybrid renewable energy systems: Overview of different approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 1412-1425.
    4. Sharafi, Masoud & ELMekkawy, Tarek Y., 2014. "Multi-objective optimal design of hybrid renewable energy systems using PSO-simulation based approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 67-79.
    5. Houssem R. E. H. Bouchekara & Yusuf A. Sha’aban & Mohammad S. Shahriar & Saad M. Abdullah & Makbul A. Ramli, 2023. "Sizing of Hybrid PV/Battery/Wind/Diesel Microgrid System Using an Improved Decomposition Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm Considering Uncertainties and Battery Degradation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-38, July.
    6. Rajanna, S. & Saini, R.P., 2016. "Modeling of integrated renewable energy system for electrification of a remote area in India," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 175-187.
    7. Wissem, Zghal & Gueorgui, Kantchev & Hédi, Kchaou, 2012. "Modeling and technical–economic optimization of an autonomous photovoltaic system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 263-272.
    8. 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).
    9. Saxena, Vivek & Kumar, Narendra & Manna, Saibal & Rajput, Saurabh Kumar & Agarwal, Kusum Lata & Diwania, Sourav & Gupta, Varun, 2025. "Modelling, solution and application of optimization techniques in HRES: From conventional to artificial intelligence," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    10. Tezer, Tuba & Yaman, Ramazan & Yaman, Gülşen, 2017. "Evaluation of approaches used for optimization of stand-alone hybrid renewable energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 840-853.
    11. Kalantari, Hosein & Sasmito, Agus P. & Ghoreishi-Madiseh, Seyed Ali, 2021. "An overview of directions for decarbonization of energy systems in cold climate remote mines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    12. Sharafi, Masoud & ElMekkawy, Tarek Y., 2015. "Stochastic optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems using sampling average method," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1668-1679.
    13. Abo-Elyousr, Farag K. & Elnozahy, Ahmed, 2018. "Bi-objective economic feasibility of hybrid micro-grid systems with multiple fuel options for islanded areas in Egypt," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(PA), pages 37-56.
    14. Heydari, Ali & Askarzadeh, Alireza, 2016. "Optimization of a biomass-based photovoltaic power plant for an off-grid application subject to loss of power supply probability concept," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 601-611.
    15. Akbar Maleki & Marc A. Rosen & Fathollah Pourfayaz, 2017. "Optimal Operation of a Grid-Connected Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Residential Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-20, July.
    16. Perera, A.T.D. & Attalage, R.A. & Perera, K.K.C.K. & Dassanayake, V.P.C., 2013. "Designing standalone hybrid energy systems minimizing initial investment, life cycle cost and pollutant emission," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 220-230.
    17. Goel, Sonali & Sharma, Renu, 2017. "Performance evaluation of stand alone, grid connected and hybrid renewable energy systems for rural application: A comparative review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1378-1389.
    18. Mohammad Hemmat Esfe & Vahid Vaisi & Seyed Hosseini Tamrabad & Hossein Hatami & Davood Toghraie & Roozbeh Moshfeghi & Saeed Esfandeh, 2024. "A comprehensive review of the effective environmental parameters on the efficiency and suitable site selection for installing solar based water desalination systems in Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(11), pages 28893-28921, November.
    19. Hasan Masrur & Harun Or Rashid Howlader & Mohammed Elsayed Lotfy & Kaisar R. Khan & Josep M. Guerrero & Tomonobu Senjyu, 2020. "Analysis of Techno-Economic-Environmental Suitability of an Isolated Microgrid System Located in a Remote Island of Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-27, April.
    20. Hadidian Moghaddam, Mohammad Jafar & Kalam, Akhtar & Nowdeh, Saber Arabi & Ahmadi, Abdollah & Babanezhad, Manoochehr & Saha, Sajeeb, 2019. "Optimal sizing and energy management of stand-alone hybrid photovoltaic/wind system based on hydrogen storage considering LOEE and LOLE reliability indices using flower pollination algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 1412-1434.

    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:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:12800-:d:1224000. 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 (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.