Resource Assessment, Socio- Economic Analysis and Design of Renewable Hybrid System for Rural Electrification /

Abstract

Renewable energy resources of solar, wind and biomass could provide solution of two major energy problems faced by mankind in current era: rapid use of limited fossil fuel reserves, abrupt climate change and energy access to unelectrified areas of the world. World is at the helm of drastic climate changes caused by greenhouse gas emissions produced from burning of conventional fossil fuels. Utilization of renewable energy sources will provide clean and green form of energy with natural replenishment of resources and will also provide energy to far flung areas located away from grid. The main work of this thesis is providing solution for rural electrification of Pakistan in general and in specific make this country sustainable in access of energy. Rural electrification is the need of hour as these areas are the most deprived and neglected in terms of human development and availability of basic facilities. Pakistan has abundant natural energy sources of solar, wind and biomass that can be beneficial for providing cheap ad clean access of energy to rural communities. This research provides an assessment of renewable energy potential of Southern region of Punjab and how these resources could be utilized for the upbringing of local people. Six possible configurations of single source and hybrid renewable energy system have been discussed. All the systems are evaluated based on their technical and economical parameters and best among them are proposed for rural electrification. Most feasible hybrid system is proposed with help of HOMER software by analyzing cost of energy, net present cost and initial cost of each system proposed. Centralized and decentralized renewable energy systems have been compared and listed according to their costs and technical parameters.