Techno-economic and sensitivity analysis for hybrid PV-grid connected electric boat charging station in Kuala Terengganu

Abstract

To encourage the use of green technology in the transportation sector and reducing the reliance on subsidy given by the government in fisheries sector, this study is aimed to evaluate the feasibility of developing grid-connected renewable energy (RE) electric boat charging stations for the fishermen in Terengganu using a simulation-based method. To achieve the objectives of this research, five-years data of solar radiation and wind speed were collected at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin’s weather station. Then, information regarding fishing activities and the amount of subsidy spent by the government were obtained from interview sessions with fishermen which were validated by Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia. After data collection, a simulation was done using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) software. The performance of the proposed system is compared to the existing system in terms of net present cost (NPC), operational cost, electricity production and consumption, emission of greenhouse gasses and payback period. A sensitivity analysis was also done to find the minimal Feed-in Tariff (FiT) rate which can be implemented in order to encourage the usage of the RE system in this sector.