Design For The Utilization Of Renewable Energy

Study Case DESIGN FOR THE UTILIZATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AS AN ENERGY SOURCE IN PRESIDIO, TEXAS Michael Kurniawan (2018123456) University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States kurniaml@mail.uc.edu Abstract The United States has a variety of energy resources, both non-renewable and renewable. Rapid development and a large population have created high energy demands. According to World Bank data, in 2020 the population of the US reached 331 million. According to the Texas State Energy Plan (2020) report, Texas' renewable energy potential includes six main types: geothermal, hydro, biomass, solar, wind, and ocean energy, with a total estimated capacity of 5.9 gigawatts (GW). However, as of 2020, there are still rural communities that do not have adequate electricity supply, one of which is Presidio, Texas. Through simulation using HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) software, an optimal hybrid power plant configuration was obtained, consisting of one wind turbine, ten battery units, and the use of inverters and biomass generators, each with a capacity of 10 kW. Keywords: Renewable Energy, Wind Turbines, Biomass, HOMER, Hybrid INTRODUCTION Energy plays an important role in supporting national development. The United States has a wide variety of energy potential, both from renewable and non-renewable sources. Rapid economic growth and a large population have driven an increase in energy demand. World Bank data shows that by 2020, the US population will reach 331 million. Despite global economic challenges, including slow and uneven recovery, energy demand continues to increase. Environmental and economic issues are the main drivers for accelerating the use of renewable energy. In addition to reducing commercial barriers, the use of clean energy MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 1 Study Case is also in line with global goals to optimize local energy resources at a lower cost. In Texas, for example, the renewable energy potential recorded in the 2020 State Energy Plan is estimated at 5,950 megawatts (MW) or around 5.9 GW. However, its utilization remains limited. Data shows that Texas has only utilized around 848.90 MW, or 14.27% of its total renewable energy potential. Meanwhile, according to a study by the Institute for Energy Research (IER, 2018), the national renewable energy potential in the US reaches 431,745 MW, but the installed capacity is only around 6,830 MW. Electricity is a primary need that is inseparable from households, industries, and government agencies. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas' population increased from 28.7 million in 2018 to 29.4 million in 2020. Population growth and the use of electronic devices have caused electricity demand to increase rapidly. Compared to urban areas such as California or New York, there are still many rural communities in Texas that do not yet have full access to electricity. To address this challenge, the government launched the Energy Independent Community (EIC) program, which is similar to the Energy Independent Village program in Indonesia. This program was initiated in 2007 with the aim of enabling communities to meet at least 60% of their energy needs independently through local resources. With EIC, rural communities are expected to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and government subsidies. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as of 2020, there are still a number of communities in Texas that do not have full access to electricity, especially in rural areas. These areas are categorized as underserved communities, which are areas that are underdeveloped, far from economic centers, and require additional support in the sectors of education, health, economy, and public policy. Based on the community development index from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Presidio is classified as a low-development area, with an index score of 0.6351. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2022), this small town located in Presidio County has a population of approximately 1,343 people or 305 households, with a density of 89 people/km². Geographically, Presidio has significant solar and micro-hydro energy potential. In addition, the agricultural sector produces biomass waste that can be processed into electrical energy. Therefore, it is necessary to design a local potential-based energy system through simulation using HOMER software. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 2 Study Case MATERIALS AND METHODS The research method was conducted in several stages: 1. Area Identification: Focused on rural communities that are not yet fully connected to the conventional electricity grid. 2. Literature Study: Analysis of energy needs, local potential, understanding of HOMER software, and energy system design. 3. Geographic Data Collection: Presidio is located in Presidio County, Texas. Based on the NASA POWER Database, this region has an average Solar Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) of 4.45 kWh/m²/day, with an atmospheric clarity index (Clearness Index) of approximately 0.445. Figure 1. Average Monthly GHI in Presidio, Texas (Source: NASA) For biomass potential, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Presidio region has 768 hectares of agricultural land, including 140 hectares of coconut plantations. Agricultural waste in the form of shells, fibers, and fronds can be used as biomass fuel. Table 1. Presidio Plantation Crop Production In terms of wind, NASA data shows an average annual wind speed of 3.62 m/s, with the highest peak in January (5.16 m/s) and the lowest in April (2.62 m/s). MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 3 Study Case Figure 2. Average Wind Speed in Presidio, Texas (Source: NASA) In addition, the rivers that cross this region have micro-hydro potential. Water quality parameters such as flow velocity, salinity, temperature, and pH indicate conditions that support the construction of small-scale hydroelectric power plants. Table 2. Average River Water Quality Parameters in Presidio Based on HOMER simulations, the average annual electricity load in this region is estimated to reach 165.44 kWh/day. Hybrid Power Generation System The hybrid system is designed to utilize solar energy, river flow, wind, and local biomass. The main components of the system consist of: 1. Photovoltaic (PV) Using SP100-12M type solar modules with a maximum capacity of 0.1 kW, a derating factor of 90%, an efficiency of 13%, and a service life of 20 years. 2. Wind Turbine Using a 1 kW horizontal turbine with a nominal voltage of 48V, a maximum wind speed of 40 m/s, and a service life of 20 years. 3. Biomass Biomass generator with a capacity of 10 kW, a service life of 15,000 hours, and MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 4 Study Case a minimum load ratio of 30%. 4. Inverter Apollo MTP-4110F bidirectional inverter with a capacity of 75 kW, 95% efficiency, and a service life of 10 years. 5. Battery Surrette 6CS25P deep cycle battery, capacity 820 Ah, service life 12 years, efficiency 80%. 6. Operational Limitations The simulation uses an annual real interest rate of 7.5%, a project life of 25 years, a cycle charging strategy, and an annual capacity shortage of 0%. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Based on the simulation results using HOMER software, it can be concluded that the most optimal system configuration is determined by the Net Present Cost (NPC) value. The lower the NPC value, the better the optimization level achieved. The analysis results show that the optimal hybrid power plant (HPP) system in Presidio consists of wind turbines, inverters, biomass generators, and batteries. Figure 3. Best Optimization Results from HOMER Software Simulation The best configuration involves 1 wind turbine unit and 10 battery units, with a 10 kW inverter and biomass generator. This system was selected based on its second place ranking in the list of lowest total NPC. Electrical Simulation Results From an electrical perspective, annual energy production reaches 62,156 kWh/year with consumption of 60,364 kWh/year. Details of the simulation results are shown below: MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 5 Study Case Table 3. Energy Production Simulation Results Table 4. Energy Consumption Simulation Results Table 5. Energy Surplus & Deficit Simulation Results Table 6. Renewable Fraction Simulation Results Renewable Penetration Simulation Results The renewable penetration simulation produced the following capacity-based metrics and peak values: Table 7. Capacity-based Metrics MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 6 Study Case Table 8. Peak Values Fuel Simulation Results The fuel consumption simulation results show the following data: Table 9. Fuel Consumption Simulation Results Emissions Simulation Results The emissions simulation shows the annual exhaust gas volume from the PLH system: Table 10. Annual Emissions Simulation Results MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 7 Study Case CONCLUSION Based on the HOMER simulation results, Presidio, Texas is still considered a rural area with limited access to adequate energy. The most optimal system configuration is determined by the lowest NPC value, covering calculations over a period of 25 years. Out of a total of 2,432 simulated system configurations, the best option is 1 wind turbine, 10 batteries, an inverter, and a 10 kW biomass generator. This hybrid system, with a parallel hybrid model and renewable energy support, has been proven to increase reliability and efficiency, while reducing the size of the generator required. Thus, the implementation of this system has the potential to be a sustainable energy solution to support energy independence for the community in Presidio. MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 8 Study Case REFERENCE MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 9 Study Case MICHAEL KURNIAWAN 10