Evaluating Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Policy‑Oriented Framework
Keywords:
Electricity, HRES, Nigeria, Solar, Storage, WindAbstract
Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) are critical for addressing Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, particularly in rural and weak‑grid communities. This paper presents a systematic review of recent studies published between 2020 and 2025, evaluating modelling approaches, techno‑economic outcomes, environmental impacts, and policy constraints. The review employed a structured search across major databases and classified studies by system configuration, optimisation methods, and performance metrics. Tools such as HOMER Pro, MATLAB, and PVGIS were widely used, alongside advanced algorithms including Particle Swarm Optimisation, Genetic Algorithms, and Fuzzy Logic dispatch strategies. Findings reveal that PV–battery–diesel hybrids dominate rural electrification due to their reliability, although they remain costly and emission-intensive. In contrast, PV-wind-battery systems demonstrate superior performance, achieving lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) values (USD 0.06 - 0.12/kWh) and higher reliability when supported by robust resource data. Institutional deployments, such as universities and healthcare centres, show strong feasibility with renewable fractions exceeding 90% and emission reductions above 90%, but face barriers related to financing, tariff structures, and regulatory clarity. Beyond descriptive synthesis, this study identifies methodological gaps, including coarse resource datasets, simplified battery lifecycle modelling, and limited integration of socio‑economic factors. To address these challenges, a policy‑oriented four‑dimensional framework is proposed, encompassing technical, economic, environmental, and institutional dimensions. This framework provides researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with actionable insights for advancing scalable, sustainable HRES solutions aligned with Nigeria’s energy transition and climate goals.
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