The Investigation of Grid Extension Versus Standalone Hybrid Renewable Energy System in Saudi Arabia: A Case Study

Altimania M.R.M. Mukhitdinov O. Abduvokhidov A. Saitov E. Kutliev U. Yegzekova A. Makhanova M.A. Ayalew A.T.
2026 John Wiley and Sons Ltd

International Journal of Energy Research
2026 #2026 Issue 1

One of the challenges in supplying electricity to remote areas is deciding whether to use standalone systems or extend the grid line. This article investigates a standalone hybrid renewable system versus extending the grid line to meet a proposed residential load demand of 6000 kWh/day, in a case study located 145 km from the grid. The study identifies the optimum possible grid extension distances, taking into account environmental factors such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) penalty and CO₂ emissions during the optimization process. Results indicate that, at the current distance from the grid, grid extension is not an economical solution. Instead, a standalone hybrid renewable energy system (HRES)—comprising photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), diesel generator (DG), and battery—is the optimal energy supply option, with net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (COE) values of $4.55 M and $0.136/kWh, respectively. For the system considered, the optimal grid extension distance is 12 km. Load demand, grid extension cost, and distance from the grid are discussed as three main parameters affecting grid extension feasibility. Increasing load demand raises the optimal grid extension distance, while capacity shortage (CS) has a greater influence on this distance. Additionally, when the grid extension cost is held constant, a higher CS reduces the optimal grid extension distance. Copyright

grid extension , HRES , renewable energy , solar , wind

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Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kimyo International University in Tashkent, Shota Rustaveli Str. 156, Tashkent, 100121, Uzbekistan
Department of Mathematics, National Research University TIIAME, Kori Niyoziy 39, Tashkent, 100000, Uzbekistan
Department of Mathematics, Andijan State University, Universitet Str. 129, Andijan, 170100, Uzbekistan
Department of Physics, University of Tashkent for Applied Sciences, Str. Gavhar 1, Tashkent, 100149, Uzbekistan
Department of Physics, Urgench State University, Kh. Alimdjan Str. 14, Urgench, 220100, Uzbekistan
Department of Power Engineering, ALT University, 97 Shevchenko Str, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Zhenis Avenue, 62, Astana, 010011, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Department of Electrical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mathematics
Department of Mathematics
Department of Physics
Department of Physics
Department of Power Engineering
Kazakh Agrotechnical University
Faculty of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026