Techno-economic performance evaluation of grid integrated PV-biomass hybrid power generation for rice mill

The present study examines the feasibility of harnessing rice husk potential for power generation in the rice mills of an Indian state Tripura in combination with the solar photovoltaic (PV) energy through hybrid technology. The study indicates that grid-connected hybrid system including grid, PV and biomass system is the most feasible solution in view of the monthly average solar radiation intensity, biomass resource availability of the rice mills and the present equipment costs. The cost of generating energy from the hybrid configuration has been found to be 0.143 $/kWh, while the renewable fraction is found to be 0.91. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the effect of changing solar radiation level, load, electricity rate and maximum annual capacity shortage. It has emerged from the study that this grid-connected PV-biomass hybrid power model may conserve over 90% of grid electricity utilized in the typical rice mills of the state where supply of grid electricity has been a great concern. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.