Optimization of Hybrid Renewable Microgrids for Isolated Sites

Yancachajlla Tito U.; Sanga Quiroz C.A.; Velarde Coaquira E.; Belizario Quispe G. · Chemical Engineering Transactions (2026) · DOI: 10.3303/cet26125101

Resumen

This paper analyzes the technical and economic performance of four off‑grid hybrid power system configurations for a rural coastal site using HOMER Pro simulations. Configurations combining photovoltaic arrays, wind turbines, battery storage and a diesel backup were compared under a load‑following dispatch over a 25‑year horizon with an 8% real discount rate. The PV + wind + diesel + batteries layout emerged as the most cost‑effective, achieving the lowest net present cost (NPC = 79,942 USD) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE = 0.207 USD/kWh) while delivering a 93% renewable fraction. In this option the diesel unit operates mainly as backup, consuming about 709 L/year. Fully renewable alternatives eliminate fuel use but require substantially larger PV and battery capacities and show marked increases in NPC. The results support PV–wind hybridization with a small diesel backup as a practical compromise between reliability and cost for decentralized electrification in resource‑variable rural sites. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa; Universidad Nacional del Altiplano; Universidad Nacional de Juliaca