Techno‐economic and environmental assessment of a hybrid renewable energy system for a date molasses factory in Iraq using <scp>HOMER</scp> Pro

Abstract Iraq currently faces a significant electricity deficit estimated at approximately 18 000 MW, resulting in frequent and sometimes prolonged power outages that disrupt both economic activities and social life. The widening gap between energy supply and demand, combined with environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel consumption, emphasizes the urgent need to transition to cleaner energy sources such as biomass, solar power, and hydrogen. Within this framework, the study investigates the environmental and techno‐economic feasibility of a proposed energy system for a date molasses production facility. A hybrid energy system (microgrid) was modeled using HOMER Pro software, which is designed for the optimization of multiple energy resources. The study examined three distinct scenarios incorporating alternative energy sources, namely solar, biomass, and hydrogen, with an emphasis on power generation, economic implications, and environmental impact. An evaluation of the hybrid energy system revealed the most economically efficient and environmentally friendly configuration, utilizing a combination of 980 kW photovoltaic solar panels, 500 kW biogas generators, 180 kW fuel cell units, 299 kW power converters, 272 batteries, and 100 kW electrolyzers. The analysis results indicated that the hybrid system in Scenario 3 offered the most economical solution, achieving an energy production cost of $0.0978 per kWh and a net present cost of $2.08 million. Moreover, the proposed hybrid system achieved a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 99.98% when compared with the system in Scenario 1. Notably, date molasses production facilities are widespread in Iraq and other countries well known for date cultivation, which highlights the broader applicability of the study’s outcomes in improving energy sustainability in similar agro‐industrial contexts. The study’s findings demonstrate that, under suitable geographical conditions, transitioning to a sustainable energy system is not only feasible but also capable of delivering substantial environmental benefits.