Techno-economic optimization and sensitivity analysis of a PV/Wind/diesel/battery system in Saudi Arabia using a combined dispatch strategy

Saudi Arabia consumed about 290 TWh of energy in 2019, with a per capita consumption of 9100 kWh. The majority of this energy is generated using nonrenewable energy sources, with the residential sector consuming more than half of it. This study investigates the application of a combined dispatch strategy to optimize hybrid energy systems for six remote locations in Saudi Arabia. The system is designed for approximately 127 households in each location, with an annual electrical load of 2.5 MWh, a yearly peak load of 754 kW, and a primary load of 7620 kWh/day. The technical and economic viability of the hybrid and fully renewable energy system designs are assessed using HOMER. For PV/Wind/Diesel system design, Abha and Hail were found to have the least Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.248 US$/kWh, while the annualized costs and the net present cost (NPC) were minimum for Hail. In addition, for fully renewable system (PV/Wind/Battery) design, the LCOE was in the range of 0.305–0.399 US$/kWh, around 30–50 % higher at different locations. The results presented in this study are the first of its kind in the KSA and can serve as a hybrid energy solution for other parts of the world with similar weather conditions.