The environmental and economic benefits of a hybrid hydropower energy recovery and solar energy system (PAT-PV), under varying energy demands in the agricultural sector

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 303; p. 127078
• Main Authors: Merida García, A., Gallagher, J., Crespo Chacón, M., Mc Nabola, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 20.06.2021
• Subjects: Diesel generator; Environmental and economic impact; Hybrid renewable energy system; Life cycle assessment; Micro-hydropower; Solar energy; Life cycle assessment; Diesel generator; Micro-hydropower; Solar energy; Environmental and economic impact; Hybrid renewable energy system
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127078

A comparative environmental and economic impact analysis between a hybrid pump-as-turbine/solar pilot system (PAT-PV) and a traditional diesel generator, with the innovation of the seasonal energy supply preconditions in an off-grid farm in Southern Spain was conducted. The results show lower climate change, fossil fuels, and dissipated water burdens over a 20-year lifespan, for the hybrid PAT-PV system, especially for fossil fuels (40-times lower). However, there was an increased demand for minerals and metals compared with the diesel generator, mostly due to the batteries and electronic components contribution, representing between 66% and 87% of the burdens. The hybrid PAT-PV system presented a lower total cost, but a higher investment, with an 8-year payback period. The low energy demand of the farm represented only 2.2% of the energy potential generation of the hybrid PAT-PV system, with a higher impact per kWh of energy than expected. The total use of the energy generated was proven to be essential, decreasing the environmental impacts up to 45 times, which provide a way to further reduce fossil energy consumption at farm level, as surplus energy could be used to power electric vehicles or tools, contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions, for a more sustainable agriculture. [Display omitted] •An economic and environmental evaluation of off-grid energy system was conducted.•The hybrid PAT-PV system was the solution with lower economic and environmental cost.•Batteries and electronic components represented 66–87% of the hybrid system impact.•Seasonality of energy demand increased the impact per kWh of energy used by 45 times.