OPTIMIZATION OF A HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM (HRES) WITH GRID INTEGRATION USING HOMER SOFTWARE AND MACHINE LEARNING: A CASE STUDY FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
Vasu Puligundla1, Polamraju.V.S.Sobhan2, Vikas Sharma3
1,2Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Vignan’s Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Vadlamudi, Guntur-522213, India
3Director, Engineering Department, Maxbrain Technologies, Jaipur, India
Abstract— The current study focuses on the design and optimization of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) integrated with the grid, aimed at providing reliable and cost-effective electricity to rural areas near Jaipur, Rajasthan. The research leverages HOMER software for modeling a 500-kW HRES that includes solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, biogas-powered generators, and grid connectivity. Locally sourced biomass is utilized in strategically located biogas plants to enhance the sustainability of the energy system. The primary goal was to decrease the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). The economic viability of selling surplus energy to the power grid was assessed by simulations, which considered various metrics such as Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Return on Investment (ROI), Payback Period, and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). The findings demonstrate a reduction in Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) from Rs 10/kWh to Rs 7/kWh through the implementation of optimal Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES). Although there were minor decreases in IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and ROI (Return on Investment), the payback period remained stable, indicating that the economic feasibility is enhanced by selling surplus energy. These findings emphasize the importance of optimal Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) designs in decreasing electricity expenses and encouraging the usage of sustainable energy in rural regions. This offers a practical approach for electrifying rural areas in Rajasthan and beyond. In present study machine learning was used to optimize the HRES system and the most effective combination was selected in which SPV, bio gas and grid all were in operational mode.
Keywords— Hybrid solar PV systems, Economic analysis of renewable energy, HOMER, Rural Electrification, smart grid
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 03 2026: 1-13