Developing and evaluating a stand-alone hybrid energy system for Rohingya refugee community in Bangladesh

Abstract In this study, a hybrid system for potential electricity generation for Rohingya refugees in Kutupalong camp, Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh is investigated. Six scenarios are considered, and an optimal configuration is chosen based on low cost of energy and low emission. The optimum system consists of a combination of Generator/PV Panel/Wind/Converter/Battery. The configuration has cost of energy of 0.35$ per kW, and the renewable fraction is found to be 87%. The proposed system is also environmentally friendly and the optimum system discharges less than 65%, 84%, and 61% emission when compared with grid, diesel, and kerosene respectively. From sustainability indicators, it was observed that the amount of diesel needed to be imported is 30%. Therefore, dependency on import is less, and this makes the proposed system highly reliable. Besides, this system does not use biomass to generate electricity. 87% resources come from renewable energy sources. So this system is highly sustainable. There is literally no idle time for equipment since their deployment is according to the demands of people. This idle time of equipment causes depreciation which in turn leads to less efficiency and higher cost.