Techno-Economic Analysis of a Renewable Energy-Based Hybrid Microgrid Using HOMER Pro (Case Study: University of Kashan)

چکیده مقاله

Abstract— In recent years, the rapid growth in electrical energy consumption, the rising costs of electricity supply, environmental concerns, transmission network losses, and the necessity of enhancing energy security have led to widespread attention to microgrids as an efficient solution for optimal energy management. In this research, based on actual data from the electricity bills the University of Kashan in 1402 and considering three consumption periods, including off-peak, mid-peak, and peak periods, the performance of a hybrid microgrid is analyzed using HOMER Pro software. This microgrid includes components such as the utility grid, photovoltaic panels, a gas generator, a battery, a fuel cell, an electrolyzer, hydrogen storage, and an AC/DC converter, which are simulated and technically and economically evaluated to supply the electrical load the University of Kashan. The analyses are performed in two scenarios: (1) using a battery as the storage unit and (2) using a hydrogen storage system consisting of an electrolyzer, hydrogen tank, and fuel cell. While the other microgrid components are considered identical in both scenarios, the results of the technical, economic, and environmental evaluations show that the first scenario achieves a lower NPC and LCOE, whereas Scenario 2 achieves a 20.9% reduction in annual CO₂ emissions and a higher renewable energy share.

 Keywords—Microgrid, energy storage, HOMER Pro, techno-economic analysis