Optimization and Feasibility Assessment of Hybrid Mini-Grid Power Systems for Iraq’s Residential Rural Electrification

Iraq is struggling with a significant electricity crisis, especially in rural and remote areas where ensuring uninterrupted and reliable power access remains a long-standing problem. The electrical grid of the country is under growing pressure to meet expanding demand, as it continues to be heavily reliant on fossil fuel-based generation. Mini-grids with hybrid renewable energy sources may represent a promising sustainable solution, particularly for rural areas. This paper aims to explore the feasibility of hybrid mini-grid power systems for electrifying rural areas in Iraq. The focus is on identifying the most cost-effective and reliable system through size optimization as well as techno-economic and sensitivity analyses using HOMER software. Comprehensive assessments are conducted on multiple system types, such as technical, economic, electrical, and environmental analyses, reinforced by thorough sensitivity studies on key parameters such as fuel cost, system reliability, and the nominal discount rate. The hybrid system configuration, comprising a 666 kW of solar PV array, 47 wind turbines (WTs), a 2,000 kW large diesel generator, a 600 kW small diesel generator, 864 kWh of battery storage, and a 699 kW power converter, offers the optimal balance of cost, environmental impact, and reliability among all feasible options. It achieved a net present cost of $9.13 million and a cost of energy of $0.123/kWh. The results show that the integration of solar PV and WTs with diesel generators could provide cost-effective and reliable solutions to address the electricity shortage problem in Iraq. The analyses and insights presented in this paper may assist decision makers in Iraq by highlighting the strategic advantages of utilizing renewable energy sources, aiming to diversify power generation sources in the country.