Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University Building

This study evaluates the economic feasibility of implementing renewable energy-based microgrids at the University of Córdoba, Montería, Colombia. Simulations and optimizations were conducted using the HOMER Energy software, considering local renewable resources with significant potential. The...

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Main Authors: Jesús D. Rhenals-Julio, Héctor Armando Martínez, Miguel Doria Oviedo, Juan Fernando Arango, Jorge Mario Mendoza Fandiño
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EconJournals 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy
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Online Access:https://econjournals.com./index.php/ijeep/article/view/17423
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author Jesús D. Rhenals-Julio
Héctor Armando Martínez
Miguel Doria Oviedo
Juan Fernando Arango
Jorge Mario Mendoza Fandiño
author_facet Jesús D. Rhenals-Julio
Héctor Armando Martínez
Miguel Doria Oviedo
Juan Fernando Arango
Jorge Mario Mendoza Fandiño
author_sort Jesús D. Rhenals-Julio
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluates the economic feasibility of implementing renewable energy-based microgrids at the University of Córdoba, Montería, Colombia. Simulations and optimizations were conducted using the HOMER Energy software, considering local renewable resources with significant potential. The analysis identified the combination of grid energy, photovoltaic systems, and a hydrokinetic turbine as the optimal solution, yielding a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.137 USD/kWh, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 11.9%, and a payback period of approximately 10 years. These results demonstrate the economic viability of microgrid implementation under these specific conditions. In contrast, the use of biomass gasification proved to be financially unviable due to its high initial investment costs, indicating the need for local technological development to reduce these barriers. Overall, the proposed system presents a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for energy generation in university facilities, contributing to energy diversification and long-term environmental benefits.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2146-4553
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher EconJournals
record_format Article
series International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy
spelling doaj-art-8e979b783b7a451cbe95c93b236ee5f72024-12-23T01:04:04ZengEconJournalsInternational Journal of Energy Economics and Policy2146-45532024-12-0115110.32479/ijeep.17423Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University BuildingJesús D. Rhenals-Julio0Héctor Armando Martínez1Miguel Doria Oviedo2Juan Fernando Arango3Jorge Mario Mendoza Fandiño4Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Córdoba, Cra 6 No. 77-305 Montería, ColombiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Córdoba, Cra 6 No. 77-305 Montería, ColombiaFaculty of Science and Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering Program, University of Sinú-Elías Bechara Zainúm, Cra. 1w No. 38-153, Barrio Juan XXIII, Monteria, ColombiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Córdoba, Cra 6 No. 77-305 Montería, ColombiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Córdoba, Cra 6 No. 77-305 Montería, Colombia This study evaluates the economic feasibility of implementing renewable energy-based microgrids at the University of Córdoba, Montería, Colombia. Simulations and optimizations were conducted using the HOMER Energy software, considering local renewable resources with significant potential. The analysis identified the combination of grid energy, photovoltaic systems, and a hydrokinetic turbine as the optimal solution, yielding a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.137 USD/kWh, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 11.9%, and a payback period of approximately 10 years. These results demonstrate the economic viability of microgrid implementation under these specific conditions. In contrast, the use of biomass gasification proved to be financially unviable due to its high initial investment costs, indicating the need for local technological development to reduce these barriers. Overall, the proposed system presents a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for energy generation in university facilities, contributing to energy diversification and long-term environmental benefits. https://econjournals.com./index.php/ijeep/article/view/17423Homer Energy, IRR, Microgrids, Renewable Sources
spellingShingle Jesús D. Rhenals-Julio
Héctor Armando Martínez
Miguel Doria Oviedo
Juan Fernando Arango
Jorge Mario Mendoza Fandiño
Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University Building
International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy
Homer Energy, IRR, Microgrids, Renewable Sources
title Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University Building
title_full Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University Building
title_fullStr Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University Building
title_full_unstemmed Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University Building
title_short Economic Assessment of the Potential for Renewable Based Microgrids Generation Systems: An Application in a University Building
title_sort economic assessment of the potential for renewable based microgrids generation systems an application in a university building
topic Homer Energy, IRR, Microgrids, Renewable Sources
url https://econjournals.com./index.php/ijeep/article/view/17423
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AT juanfernandoarango economicassessmentofthepotentialforrenewablebasedmicrogridsgenerationsystemsanapplicationinauniversitybuilding
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