Hybrid renewable energy as a solution for the energy crisis in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The global energy industry is at the edge of fundamental revolution where renewable energy plays a major role in responding to the challenges ranging from sustainability to environmental protection. However, the use of a single renewable energy source in producing energy has been reducing due to the inconsistency of resource streams. Consequently, the enhanced energy management strategies were developed by integrating renewable resources with a standby entity and hence hybrid renewable energy systems explored to the practice. Producing energy to unlimited increasing demand is a challenging issue currently faced by Sri Lanka. Although some studies have been performed for hybrid renewable energy systems, i.e. wind and solar across the world, this is an understudied area and thus, very little information is available in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of solar and wind hybrid renewable concept as a solution for energy crisis in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the significance and the emergence of hybrid energy sources. Eight (08) semi structured expert interviews were conducted with information related to solar, wind, renewable energy sources, and hybrid systems, by adopting a qualitative research approach. Collected data were then subjected to content analysis in deriving the research outcome. The findings revealed positive perceptions on implementation of solar–wind hybrid renewable energy systems in Sri Lanka and the importance of intervention at policy level for the success. Lack of knowledge on hybrid concept and updated technologies, limited financial investments, and policy incentive dilemmas, were identified as few limitations.