An Investigation into Integration of Renewable Energy Resource for Electricity Generation for Rural Areas in Sarawak State Malaysia

Yonis M Yonis, Buswig and Shanti Faridah, Salleh and Azuka, Affam and Norhuzaimin, Julai and Hazrul, Mohamad Basri and Kasumawati, Lias and Hani, Albalawi (2025) An Investigation into Integration of Renewable Energy Resource for Electricity Generation for Rural Areas in Sarawak State Malaysia. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3113 (1). p. 1. ISSN 1551-7616

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Abstract

The difficulties faced in the extension of conventional grid electricity to remote locations elicit increased application of renewable energy (RE) sources in such locations. In locations that are in close proximity to rivers or streams, micro-hydro hybrid RE systems (HRES) are employed. Similarly, hybrid photovoltaic (PV) /battery configurations exist. Unfortunately, micro-hydro turbines require a minimum height/head and expensive civil works during installation. Hydrokinetic turbines (HKTs) eliminate the height/head requirement and greatly reduce necessary civil work by generating electricity using the kinetic energy of water flow in a river or stream. This study used HOMER software to simulate and obtain the optimal size and configuration of a hybrid PV/HKT/Battery storage system for Kampung Asum in Sarawak, Malaysia. Techno-economic comparison of the system is done with a PV/Battery and a standalone diesel generator (DG) system thereafter. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and the total net present cost (NPC) are the primary indices used for comparison purposes. The optimal configuration from simulations has 79.9 kWp of PV, two 4.5 kW HKTs and 132 kWh of battery storage. Also, economic results obtained indicate that the LCOE of 2.1 RM/kWh and NPC of RM 1,225,000 for the PV-HKT-battery configuration bested those for the PV-battery and standalone DG systems by 165 % and 27 % respectively. This optimal configuration is more environmentally friendly and highlights the role of the HKT in reducing battery usage and wear in addition to achieving lower LCOE and NPC values.

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