Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, cilt.108, sa.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study addresses the critical challenge of energy instability in Baghdad by investigating the techno-economic viability of a hybrid power generation system that optimally integrates solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and existing private diesel generators with the national grid. Using the HOMER Pro software, we modeled a representative 11 kV feeder line as a mini-grid, with its load profile derived from historical data to ensure a realistic and context-specific simulation. The research analyzes the optimal sizing of the PV array and inverter, the role of the diesel generator in providing reliable backup, and the system's overall performance. The simulation results show that the optimal system configuration, consisting of a 470 kW solar PV array and a 50 kW diesel generator, can reliably meet 100% of the mini-grid's electrical load. This configuration yields a low levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.0595/kWh, which is significantly lower than the cost of a diesel-only system. Furthermore, the proposed hybrid system reduces diesel fuel consumption by 65% and curtails carbon emissions by 45% compared to the current private generation model. The findings demonstrate that a decentralized, hybrid energy solution is a technically and economically viable pathway to enhance energy security and reduce environmental impact. The study's unique focus on leveraging existing private generators provides a novel and practical framework for policymakers and investors, offering a blueprint for a sustainable energy transition in regions facing similar grid infrastructure challenges.