Abstract:
The study analysed different types of hybrid micro grids system configurations and found out
the following to be both technically and economically viable: (a) PV with Levelised Cost of
Electricity (LCOE) of R4.64/kWh, (b) PV/Wind of R5.03/kWh, (c) PV/Wind/Generator at
R5.16 /kWh and lastly (d) PV/Generator of R4.80/kWh. These viable system configurations
have more than 93.1 % renewables. All four technically and economically viable system
configurations were found to be more sensitive to either price of diesel or inflation rate. As
diesel price increased from R13.00/litre to R15.00/litre, LCOE increased from R5.15/kWh to
R5.24/kWh. As inflation rate changed from 5.00 % to 6.50%, LCOE decreased from
R4.64/kWh to R4.42/kWh. The most suitable system configuration has been found to both
technically and economically viable is solar/generator with LCOE of R4.80/kWh and lower
carbon emissions of 4843 kg/yr greenhouse gas emissions. For this solar/generator, NPV is
R940 994.00, IRR is 18%, while ROI is 15.5% and payback period is 5.81 years.
Any hybrid micro grid system that had hydro component in its system configuration was found
to be not viable due to the high capital cost which contributed to high LCOE. The high cost of
the system configuration that included the hydro component had been brought about by the
high cost of civil works for erecting diversion weir for the micro grid power station.
