Techno-economic-environmental feasibility of photovoltaic, wind and hybrid electrification systems for stand-alone and grid-connected port electrification in the Philippines

Although domestic ferries play an important role in the economy and security of the Philippines, they have serious negative environmental impacts on cities and society due to the use of fossil fuels. There is a great potential to use battery and hybrid vessels in the segment. However, the necessary infrastructure, such as cold ironing technology in ports, is not available and the source of the national grid (coal) is more polluting than the ships' fuel (diesel oil). It is therefore important to replace the existing energy sources with renewable energy. In this study, the potential use of solar and wind power and generators in six different stand-alone and grid-connected systems for a major port in the Philippines was assessed in 1423 simulations using a smart grid optimization software and a Python program. Grid-connected systems were more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than stand-alone mode systems, and wind power systems with a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of 0.081 ($/kWh) were the most cost-effective system. The sensitivity analyses showed that switching from diesel generators to gas generators led to a 67.63-75.2% reduction in the related LCOE and a 78% and 73% reduction in the operating cost and total net present cost of the stand-alone systems, respectively.

Automated summary

Although domestic ferries in the Philippines play a crucial role in the economy and security, their use of fossil fuels has significant negative environmental impacts. Transitioning to battery and hybrid vessels is a viable solution, but there is a lack of necessary infrastructure and the national grid primarily relies on coal, which is more polluting than the ships' fuel. This study assesses the potential of solar and wind power and generators in different stand-alone and grid-connected systems for a major port in the Philippines, finding that grid-connected systems are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, with wind power systems being the most cost-effective option.