Author(s):
Joaquim, Salomão ; Amaro, Nuno ; Lapa, Nuno
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/186636
Origin: Repositório Institucional da UNL
Subject(s): Green H2; Hybrid system; Municipal solid waste gasification; Photovoltaic system; Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment; Fuel Technology; Engineering (miscellaneous); Energy Engineering and Power Technology; Energy (miscellaneous); Control and Optimization; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Description
Funding Information: Salomão Muquepe Joaquim acknowledges the Government of Angola, Ministério do Ensino Superior, Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação, for the MSc. fellowship attributed in the framework of the Presidential Decree number 67/19 of 22 February. Publisher Copyright: © 2025 by the authors.
This study investigates a hybrid renewable energy system combining the municipal solid waste (MSW) gasification and solar photovoltaic (PV) for electricity generation in Lobito, Angola. A fixed-bed downdraft gasifier was selected for MSW gasification, where the thermal decomposition of waste under controlled air flow produces syngas rich in CO and H2. The syngas is treated to remove contaminants before powering a combined cycle. The PV system was designed for optimal energy generation, considering local solar radiation and shading effects. Simulation tools, including Aspen Plus v11.0, PVsyst v8, and HOMER Pro software 3.16.2, were used for modeling and optimization. The hybrid system generates 62 GWh/year of electricity, with the gasifier contributing 42 GWh/year, and the PV system contributing 20 GWh/year. This total energy output, sufficient to power 1186 households, demonstrates an integration mechanism that mitigates the intermittency of solar energy through continuous MSW gasification. However, the system lacks surplus electricity for green hydrogen production, given the region’s energy deficit. Economically, the system achieves a Levelized Cost of Energy of 0.1792 USD/kWh and a payback period of 16 years. This extended payback period is mainly due to the hydrogen production system, which has a low production rate and is not economically viable. When excluding H2 production, the payback period is reduced to 11 years, making the hybrid system more attractive. Environmental benefits include a reduction in CO2 emissions of 42,000 t/year from MSW gasification and 395 t/year from PV production, while also addressing waste management challenges. This study highlights the mechanisms behind hybrid system operation, emphasizing its role in reducing energy poverty, improving public health, and promoting sustainable development in Angola.
