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Integrating biomass-based hybrid renewable energy systems in the food production industry

Argyropoulos Georgios-Alexandros

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Summary

The energy crisis undergoing across the globe, has struck Europe in 2022, negatively affecting all European citizens’ lives. The food industry is arguably of the highest importance for people’s wellbeing. Thus, several actions should be taken to mitigate the crisis’ impacting the industry. To this end, Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) can be used to concurrently reduce energy costs and carbon footprint. This diploma thesis is a techno-economic analysis of the implementation of an HRES to enhance the environmental sustainability and reduce the energy cost for a poultry slaughterhouse and a feed production plant. To achieve these objectives, 15 distinct scenarios are simulated using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources program and considering the real electrical energy needs of these plants. Three types of locally available biomass fuels are modelled, simulated, and evaluated. The optimal scenario, based on the Net Present Cost metrics, suggests a 57% reduction in the Levelized Cost of Energy, and a 95% decrease in the carbon footprint, while the net energy purchased from the grid in negative. This noteworthy reduction in the electricity price, contributes towards the affordability of the final products, increasing the competitiveness of the business in the market. At the same time, the almost-eliminated carbon footprint, significantly promotes its sustainable aspect. Finally, the study’s outcomes clearly show that the conflict between electricity cost and carbon footprint reduction is eliminated, leading to a sustainable and fruitful infrastructure. More biomass types are suggested to be evaluated, while the integration of energy storage systems could possibly increase the system’s reliability and stability.

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