Techno-economic comparison of stand-alone energy production systems (SAPEs) with a view to valorize the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) in Cameroonian households

This article aims to compare the efficiency and costs of four autonomous energy production systems, including organic Rankine cycle systems in the Cameroonian context. As the national electricity distribution operator (ENEO-Cameroon) is experiencing difficulties in meeting customer demand, there has been a significant increase in the use of these SAPE in households. It was essential to carry out a study to propose the optimal SAPE for different types of households. To achieve this goal, three main types of households have been established: Then, an energy balance of each category was carried out to determine the appropriate SAPE. The results show that the Organic Rankine Cycle system offers a better compromise for High Standing Households (HSH), with a net present value of $20,000, a levelized energy cost of $0.13 per kWh and a total life cycle cost of $10,000. The photovoltaic system is suitable for all categories of households, with an energy conversion rate of 36.45%, a PBP of 2.5 years, but a levelized energy cost of 0.19 dollars/kWh, higher than that of the Rankine organic cycle. This study highlighted the impact that an informed choice of autonomous energy production systems can have on the overall energy bill of Cameroonian households.