A Comprehensive State-of-the-Art Survey on Hybrid Renewable Energy System Operations and Planning

The use of hybrid renewable energy systems among household consumers in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is increasingly gaining attention. This is due to low electrification rates in many of the countries in SSA. A hybrid energy system for power generation combines various energy systems, either renewable or a combination of renewable and fossil-powered sources for optimal power extraction and operation. In the era of decarbonization of the electricity grid through the use of renewable energy, hybridization of sources is an essential condition for the production of electricity. Based on current quest for renewable energy (RE) expansion in the global energy mix, optimum conditions for the production and adoption of hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) at micro-levels are indispensable and must be advocated for. This can be justified based on the perpetually rising cost of energy for socio-economic development. This paper presents a survey of major issues regarding the motivations and specific benefits behind the adoption of HRES. Also presented, is a discussion on different renewable energy sources that can be adopted for HRES application for both grid and off-grid consumers. Furthermore, a discussion on the important issues as it pertains to the design and implementation of HRES is also presented. Finally, a policy discussion on the affordability of HRES in a low-income household is presented.