Published Paper Details:

This paper presents the design, simulation, and comparative optimisation of a grid-connected hybrid microgrid for Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC), Ludhiana, using HOMER Pro. The study evaluates solar photovoltaic (PV), biomass generation, battery storage, converter, and utility-grid combinations against a conventional grid-only configuration. The campus annual electrical demand is 3,219,990 kWh/year, with an average daily demand of 8,822 kWh/day and a maximum recorded peak of 773 kW. Six system cases and a grid-only base configuration were simulated over 8760 hours using technical, economic, renewable-energy, and environmental indicators. The comparative results identify the PV-biomass-grid configuration (Case 2) as the best overall option, with a Net Present Cost (NPC) of INR156.95 million, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of INR2.97/kWh, renewable fraction of 79.6%, grid dependency of 18.3%, and annual CO? emissions of 75,268 kg/year. Case 1, which adds battery storage, gives an NPC of about INR156 million, LCOE of INR2.98/kWh, renewable fraction of 79.4%, and emissions of 81,855 kg/year. Compared with the grid-only base, the selected configuration substantially reduces lifecycle cost, electricity cost, grid dependence, and emissions while maintaining zero unmet load and zero capacity shortage.