Thermo-economic feasibility of a hybrid wind turbine/PV/gas generator energy system for application in a residential complex in Tehran, Iran

The randomness of generated power by renewable energy resources has led experts in this field to provide sustained and permanent load supply with hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs). This study investigates the modeling of an off-grid HRES based on the wind turbine/photovoltaic/gas generator for supplying the consumption of a residential complex in Tehran (capital of Iran). To this end, the HOMER software has been implemented. After calculations, the capital cost and cost of energy of each component are estimated in different HRES models. In addition, parameters such as power generation, emissions, and thermo-economic analysis of different models of the hybrid system have been investigated. Two models of optimum HRES (based on the lowest net present cost [NPC]), with and without wind turbines, were compared. According to the results, the fuel consumption and emissions caused by the operation of the gas generator will decrease by 53% as a result of using a wind turbine despite an 8% increase in NPC. This is an important achievement regarding high air pollution in Tehran. Based on the results, using a gas generator instead of a diesel generator leads to an 18% decrease in NPC. Additionally, in comparison to using a gas generator only, using the hybrid system leads to a 43% reduction in NPC.