Energy analysis of Bahrain's first hybrid renewable energy system

In 2011, Bahrain Petroleum Company inaugurated the country's first Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) as a demonstration project, which partially supplies the electricity required for the reception hall of the company's park. Data collected from the system for a full year were analyzed to assess the performance of this grid-connected HRES, which comprises of two primary renewable energy sources - a photovoltaic panel and a wind turbine - with a total-rated capacity of 5.7 kW and three secondary/backup systems - batteries, hydrogen/fuel cell, and public grid. This article presents the results of the conducted analysis which included assessment of the energy supply and demand, the different components' efficiencies, the effect of dust on the PV panel performance, the contribution of the batteries, hydrogen storage system, and the fuel cell, the amount of CO2 avoided and emitted due to operation, the cost of energy produced, and finally upgrading the system for autonomous operation. Although the system was not economically feasible, it well served the community by creating public awareness of renewable energy and by providing an opportunity for researchers to gain hands-on experience of different renewable energy technologies and to study the challenges associated to implementing such technologies in the region.