TECHNO-ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION AND ENERGY SCENARIO ANALYSIS OF ISOLATED MINI-GRID SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper presents a feasibility analysis of the technical, environmental, and economic sustainability of an existing mini-grid system in Nigeria by investigating the cost as well as other operational parameters. The mini-grid studied is the Gbamu-Gbamu solar-battery-diesel hybrid mini-grid in Ijebu East Local Government area of Ogun state, found within the Owo forest in South-West Nigeria. The target is to assess how the system has helped reduce the effect of global warming caused by the burning of wood and also, enhance the sustainable technological development of the country’s rural communities, especially by increasing energy access through renewable sources. The RETScreen Expert software is used to validate the techno-economic and environmental sustainability of the installed mini-grid solar battery-diesel system in the region. Climatic data were accessed from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Results show that the system is both economically feasible and environmentally viable given the positive NPV value and the average monthly irradiance of 4.78kW/h/m2. The system also showed a 92.9% reduction in GHG emissions, a reasonable payback period of 4 years and yearly electricity export of 203MWh.