International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM) Volume 4, Issue 4 Apr 2022, pp: 1177-1194 www.ijaem.net ISSN: 2395-5252 DOI: 10.35629/5252-040411771194 Impact Factor value 7.429 | ISO 9001: 2008 Certified Journal Page 1177 Sensitivity Analysis of an Optimal Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Sustainable Power Supply to a Remote Rural Community Kehinde Samuel Owoeye, Nseobong Ibanga Okpura, Kufre Michael Udofia 1,2,3 Department of Electrical/Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. Corresponding Author: Kehinde Samuel Owoeye -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted: 15-04-2022 Revised: 27-04-2022 Accepted: 30-04-2022 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT: This study focuses on the various responses of an optimal hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) to changes in the system input parameters of primary load and price of diesel fuel. The energy system was designed for sustainable power supply to a remote community of Edem Urua, a rural village located in the southern part of Nigeria. Mathematical modelling method was used for system components modelling; renewable energy resources such as solar and wind together with diesel-generator and battery storage were combined while the design and optimal sizing of system components was done using Ampere-Hour optimal design method. Simulation and optimization were carried out using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables (Homer Pro) microgrid analysis tool. Detailed sensitivity analysis of the optimal HRES was carried out. Findings revealed that the total net present cost (NPC), total capital cost (TCC), renewable penetration fraction (RPF) and CO 2 changes correspondingly to changes in the daily load demand while cost of energy (COE) changes slightly and inversely with changes in daily load demand, due to the excess electricity production. Also, NPC and COE changes directly with changes in the price of diesel fuel while TCC and RPF increases and CO 2 decreases with both an increase and a decrease in the price of diesel fuel. This is to determine the optimal HRES’s responses to variations in the input parameters with respect to these objective functions, so as to minimize losses and guide against poor system performance and increase energy production and system reliability which are indices for sustainability. KEYWORDS: Sensitivity Analysis, Hybrid Renewable Energy System, Cost of Energy, CO 2 emissions, Sustainability. I. INTRODUCTION Background of Study The importance of predicting the responses of an energy system with variations in the system input parameters such as daily load demand and price of diesel fuel, so as to guide against losses and poor system performance cannot be over-emphasised. Changes in the objective functions such as the total net present cost, cost of energy, renewable penetration factor and CO 2 emissions have significant impacts on energy production and system reliability which are among the benchmarks used in measuring sustainability. Designing an optimal hybrid renewable energy system for sustainable electrical power supply for a remote rural community is not enough, but to also know how the energy system responds to changes in the system input parameters and the technical and economic impacts on energy consumers, producers and other stakeholders. Knowledge of this information about the optimal HRES updates the stakeholders on their responsibilities to ensure sustainability of power supply, which is the backbone and vehicle that drives economic development in every country that wants to advance. Lack of sustained energy production in some rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa contributes greatly to the slow pace of their socio- economic development as it affects most critical activities of their day-to-day life, including agriculture, healthcare, education, entertainment and transportation. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of people that