Grid-connected storage hybrid renewable energy plant design: the solar energy institute example

In this study, the technical and economic performance of grid-connected hybrid renewable energy systems was evaluated using the actual electricity consumption data for 2024 from the Solar Energy Institute located within the Ege University campus. Within this scope, different system configurations consisting of photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines, the electricity grid, and lithium-ion battery components were modeled using HOMER Pro software, and a total of 5 different scenarios were analyzed, starting from a grid-dependent reference structure. The scenarios were compared based on renewable energy contribution ratio, grid dependency, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and net present cost (NPC) indicators. The results showed that wind energy is the most economically advantageous renewable source under the conditions of the location studied. In the scenario including wind turbines, the renewable energy share reached 66.7%, with LCOE calculated at $0.0564/kWh and NPC at $359,173. In the hybrid scenario, which combines PV and wind, the renewable energy share was 72.1%, and a more balanced performance was achieved in terms of production continuity and reduced grid dependency. In scenarios involving energy storage, load balancing was achieved from a technical perspective; however, economic performance was limited due to current battery costs. Furthermore, in scenarios where energy sales to the grid were possible, both the renewable energy utilization rate increased and LCOE values improved significantly. The results demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of grid-connected hybrid renewable energy systems at the campus scale and indicate that wind-dominated hybrid configurations can be a cost-effective option for similar facilities under the defined assumptions and current market conditions.