Design and Evaluation of Carbon-Integrated Solar Hybrid Energy Systems for Dispatchable Power
Abstract
Intermittency remains a key challenge in solar energy utilization, limiting continuous power generation for industrial applications and creating reliability constraints in hybrid energy systems. This study investigated the design and evaluation of carbon-integrated solar hybrid energy systems as a flexible and optimized approach to enhance dispatchability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance. By combining photovoltaic panels with carbon-enhanced thermal storage and supplementary gas-based generation, the proposed system provided reliable power output while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable industrial operations. The research adopted a modeling and simulation approach using site-specific solar irradiation and industrial load demand data to develop hybrid system configurations. These configurations integrated photovoltaic panels, battery storage, biochar-based thermal storage, and secondary energy sources and were analyzed to determine energy conversion efficiencies, storage performance, and dispatch capabilities. MATLAB/Simulink and Python-based simulations evaluated system behavior under varying operational conditions, including fluctuations in solar input and load demand. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the influence of storage capacity, carbon integration levels, and demand variability on system performance. Results demonstrated that carbon-integrated hybrid systems significantly improved energy reliability and reduced dependence on conventional generation. Increasing battery capacity from 2 kWh to 20 kWh reduced generator energy usage by 41.85%, highlighting the importance of storage optimization for maximizing solar energy utilization. Long-term simulations using three years of solar data showed stable operation under varying climatic conditions, with a renewable energy fraction of approximately 55.1%. Environmental assessment indicated total CO₂ emissions of 6,196.30 kg and an emission reduction of 55.13% compared with conventional generation pathways. Experimental evaluation further demonstrated the thermal energy retention capability of biochar, confirming its suitability as a carbon-based storage medium. The findings demonstrated the potential of integrating solar energy, battery storage, and biochar-based thermal storage to deliver dispatchable, low-emission power for industrial and off-grid applications, providing a scalable pathway toward more resilient and sustainable energy systems.