Techno-Economic and Environmental Evaluation of Charging Strategy for the Harvesting Tools in Oil Palm Plantations Using HOMER Pro

Abstract

The growing adoption of mechanised technologies in oil palm plantations presents a substantial opportunity to integrate electric-powered equipment or machinery that can deliver stable and durable energy solutions, enhance productivity and reduce environmental impact. A major challenge in this approach is the limited grid access in remote plantations, which requires continuous recharging during fieldwork. Current practice relies heavily on conventional diesel generators, resulting in high operational costs, complex fuel logistics, and severe environmental pollution. This study examines the techno-economic and environmental feasibility of hybrid energy systems for charging harvesting tools using Hybrid Optimisation of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER Pro) software, modelling a 1.0 kWh/day deferrable charging load. Five system configurations were analysed based on Net Present Cost (NPC), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and annual emissions. The optimal configuration identified was the Solar Photovoltaic + Battery system, comprising a 1.15 kW PV array and one battery unit with the lowest NPC of RM 14,310 and a reasonable LCOE of RM 3.51 per kWh. This system offers superior environmental performance, resulting in zero CO2 emissions annually, and represents approximately 55 % reduction in lifetime cost compared to a conventional Genset-only baseline (NPC: RM 31,574; LCOE: RM 7.74/kWh). This strategy offers a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable route for supporting mechanised oil palm operations in off-grid environments.