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Article
Notes on the Economics of Residential Hybrid Energy System
Energies
  • Mahelet G. Fikru, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Gregory M. Gelles, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Ana M. Ichim, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Joseph D. Smith, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

Despite advances in small-scale hybrid renewable energy technologies, there are limited economic frameworks that model the different decisions made by a residential hybrid system owner. We present a comprehensive review of studies that examine the techno-economic feasibility of small-scale hybrid energy systems, and we find that the most common approach is to compare the annualized life-time costs to the expected energy output and choose the system with the lowest cost per output. While practical, this type of benefit—cost analysis misses out on other production and consumption decisions that are simultaneously made when adopting a hybrid energy system. In this paper, we propose a broader and more robust theoretical framework–based on production and utility theory–to illustrate how the production of renewable energy from multiple sources affects energy efficiency, energy services, and energy consumption choices in the residential sector. Finally, we discuss how the model can be applied to guide a hybrid-prosumer's decision-making in the US residential sector. Examining hybrid renewable energy systems within a solid economic framework makes the study of hybrid energy more accessible to economists, facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations.

Department(s)
Economics
Second Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Research Center/Lab(s)
Center for Research in Energy and Environment (CREE)
Keywords and Phrases
  • Cost benefit analysis,
  • Decision science,
  • Price of energy,
  • Prosumer,
  • Renewable energy
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2019 The Authors, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Publication Date
7-1-2019
Publication Date
01 Jul 2019
Citation Information
Mahelet G. Fikru, Gregory M. Gelles, Ana M. Ichim and Joseph D. Smith. "Notes on the Economics of Residential Hybrid Energy System" Energies Vol. 12 Iss. 14 (2019) ISSN: 1996-1073; 1996-1073
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joseph-smith/22/