Hybrid Model of Solar and Wind Energy for Powering Street Lights: Feasibility Study

Abstract

Sultanate of Oman is targeting to implement renewable energy sources thirty percent of total energy sources within 2030. In line with the strategic plan, the hybrid model of solar and wind energy based highway lights is proposed on the Muscat highway. An attempt will be made to utilize the wind energy being generated through the movement of vehicles on the highway to change it to electrical energy to power the highway lights. Since the amount of electricity generated depends on the vehicle speed, wind direction, velocity and the placement of vertical axis wind turbines on the highway. In order to overcome the fluctuation of electricity generation, a hybrid model of solar and wind energy is proposed.to generate the maximum required electricity and provide continuous supply. As a first step in this research, the techno economic analysis has been carried out to evaluate the performance parameters such as energy production, capital expenditure, payback period and return of investment. As per the analytical model the payback period is approximately 3.2 years and the return of the investment of 221% are expected over the 10 year period The proposed next step in the research is to install hybrid model of PV solar cells and VAWTs on the median of the Muscat highways between As Seeb and Al Ruwi to see the potential to augment the electricity generation from the vehicle induced turbulence on the natural wind.