Techno-economic and environmental analysis of a fully renewable hybrid energy system for sustainable power infrastructure advancement

Integrating renewable energy (RE) into electricity generation enhances sustainability, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves energy security, lowers costs, and supports sustainable development, particularly in remote and underserved regions. This study evaluates the feasibility and performance of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) designed to meet the energy demands of Hobyo Seaport, Somalia. The proposed HRES incorporates a photovoltaic (PV), wind turbines (WT), diesel generator (DG), pumped hydro energy storage (PHES), and battery energy storage system (BESS). Four configurations-PV/WT/PHES, PV/WT/DG/PHES, PV/WT/DG/BESS, and WT/DG/PHES-were analyzed using HOMER Pro and MATLAB software to optimize system sizing and assess techno-economic and environmental performance. Results indicate that the PV/WT/PHES configuration is the most efficient, achieving a 100% renewable energy fraction, a net present cost of $619,720, the lowest levelized cost of electricity at $0.03845/kWh, and a simple payback period of 0.31 years. Additionally, the system offers significant environmental benefits, mitigating 1,029 tons of CO annually, valued at $20,593 in carbon credits. Over a 20-year period, it reduces cumulative cash flow by 97.1% compared to a diesel-based system. These findings highlight the proposed HRES as a cost-effective and environmentally advantageous solution, establishing its sustainability and practicality for enhancing energy infrastructure in Somalia's Seaports and similar coastal regions.