Techno-Economic Analysis of a Biomass Integrated Hybrid Energy System: A Faculty-Level Case Study

Abstract:

The adoption of stand-alone hybrid energy systems (HES) has gained traction in addressing energy deficits in unserved and underserved regions. This paper elucidates the technical and financial evaluation of a hybrid energy system designed to supply power to the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, tailored to meet specific load requirements. Situated at coordinates 4°54.4’N and 6°55.4’E, the case study reveals a load consumption of 400.33 kWh/day, with a peak load of 78.71 kW during operational hours. Utilizing HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable) software version 3.14.2, five optimal configurations are systematically analyzed with respect to Net Present Cost (NPC), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and renewable energy fraction to ascertain the most viable option. The analysis indicates that the Diesel/Wind/PV/Biomass/Battery hybrid configuration emerges as the most efficient, yielding a power output of 180,771 kW/yr, an NPC of $725,576, and an LCOE of $0.384/kWh. This configuration achieves a notable CO₂ emission reduction of 51.6%, resulting in emissions of merely 8,000 kg/yr, alongside surplus power generation of 18,814 kWh/yr (10.4%). Furthermore, this system records a Return on Investment (ROI) of 25.3% and a Return on Revenue (ROR) of 21.7%, both of which are indicative of strong economic viability and favorable financial performance, suggesting that the investment will yield substantial returns and contribute positively to the institution's sustainability goals. This research underscores the novel renewable energy integration of biomass at the faculty level, thereby demonstrating its potential to advance sustainability initiatives within educational institutions. The comparative advantage of this optimal configuration lies in its effective amalgamation of diverse renewable energy sources, facilitating both economic feasibility and significant environmental benefits.

• Periodical: Engineering Headway (Volume 36)
• Pages: 55-72
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-eWq5tB
• Online since: February 2026
• Authors: Donubari Kogbara*, Eseosa Omorogiuwa
• Keywords: Cost of Energy, Hybrid Energy Systems, Net Present Cost, Renewable Energy Integration

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