Techno-Economic Viability of Solar Thermal Power Generation in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Being the capital of global energy poverty with over 0.65billion people representing more than 50% of its population lacking access to electricity, Sub-Saharan Africa, led by Nigeria with over 90million people without modern energy, of which over 70% depend on biomass, the need for a sustainable energy solution is an urgent imperative for the whole region. Despite having the highest solar energy potential globally, solar mini-grids are yet to achieve documented commercial success, which has hampered investment over the years, culminating in a high unemployment rate, insecurity, and socioeconomic underdevelopment. The viability of solar thermal energy (STP) systems for sustainable commercial Solar Thermal Power (STP) generation in Southwest Nigeria was investigated and analysed by acquiring a 21–year mean generic solar insolation and ancillary data for 23 evenly distributed cities across the geopolitical zones, with at least 3 selected from each of the 6 states. The technical and commercial feasibility was evaluated and analysed using Techno–Economic Renewable Energy Viability Index (TEREVI), Techno–Economic Levelized Cost of Electricity (TELCOE), conventional Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), MATLAB Simulink, and HOMER Software simulated Cost of Electricity (COE) based on a 100kW plant mini-grid model in hybrid configuration interoperable with other grids, which yielded values of 0.836, $0.023/kWh, $0.022/kWh, $0.0.0309010/kWh and $0.018/kWh, respectively. Southwest Nigeria has a high solar heating intensity with a year-round average above the minimum threshold for STE power generation, which, coupled with the results of its techno–economic metrics, shows high market competitiveness for viable commercial operation, whether in short, medium, or long-term applications for mini-grid generation or steam integration with conventional power plants to optimize energy supply, cost, and greenhouse gas emission.