INTEGRATED PV-BIOGAS SYSTEMS FOR POULTRY FARMING: OPTIMIZING ELECTRICITY AND HEAT PRODUCTION
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Date
2025-04-10
Authors
Yacoub, Tasneem
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
An-Najah National University
Abstract
In response to the growing demand for sustainable and decentralized energy systems in
agricultural regions, this study investigates the feasibility of a hybrid renewable energy
system combining biogas, photovoltaics (PV), and battery storage to supply the energy
needs of a farm in the Jordan Valley, Palestine. Four system configurations were
evaluated in terms of technical performance, economic viability, and environmental
impact.
Among the evaluated options, Scenario 4 demonstrated the most balanced performance,
with the lowest levelized cost of energy (LCOE) at $0.161/kWh, a net present cost (NPC)
of $286,212, annual energy savings of $84,708, and a payback period of just 2.3 years. It
also achieved CO2 mitigation of 59.28 tCO2/year and integrated biogas use effectively,
supporting both waste management and clean energy production.
In contrast, Scenarios 1, 2, and 3 exhibited varying trade-offs. Scenario 1 had the highest
CO2 mitigation (101.1 tCO2/year) due to its reliance on PV and battery storage, but also
the highest LCOE ($0.32/kWh) and capital cost ($347,603), making it the least
economical. Scenario 2 and Scenario 3 utilized biogas more effectively and offered better
waste management benefits. However, despite higher CO2 emissions, their economic
indicators were less favorable than Scenario 4, with Scenario 2 showing an LCOE of
$0.348/kWh and Scenario 3 at $0.117/kWh, along with payback periods of 4.2 and 2.4
years, respectively.
Based on a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), which included factors like capital
investment, energy cost, environmental impact, reliability, and waste conversion,
Scenario 4 scored the highest overall, confirming its superiority in delivering sustainable
and cost-effective energy for remote farms.
This study emphasizes that integrated renewable energy systems, particularly those
combining PV and biogas, offer a practical and scalable solution for off-grid energy
needs. It supports energy independence, reduces fossil fuel dependence, and enhances
environmental sustainability in rural agricultural contexts.