Sustainable Energy Solutions for Ruga Settlement Initiative: Optimizing Agriculture through Integrated Hybrid Energy Systems

Conflicts between nomadic herders and sedentary farming communities in Nigeria have escalated due to land and resource pressures intensified by climate change and population growth. The Ruga Settlement Initiative aims to establish designated areas with improved infrastructure for pastoralists to mitigate these conflicts. A critical challenge is integrating effective energy solutions. This research optimizes sustainable energy solutions for agricultural activities at the Henceforth Green Livestock and Irrigation Farm in Makarfi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, where commercial grid access is limited. The farm's energy needs total 120.58 kWh/day, comprising 18.015 kWh/day for irrigation and livestock upkeep and 91 kWh/day for office operations. NASA data indicates solar radiation ranging from 5.50 to 6.70 kWh/m²/day, with wind speeds between 3.20 and 4.50 m/s. HOMER Pro simulations evaluated various Integrated Hybrid Energy Systems (IHES) configurations to optimize performance. The optimal setup includes 20 kW of photovoltaic (PV) panels, a 20 kW wind turbine, a 20 kW generator as backup, 136 kWh of batteries, and a 13.2 kW converter. This configuration achieved a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of $0.406/kWh, a Net Present Cost (NPC) of $231,033, and a payback period of 2.51 years. It provides a renewable fraction of 92.6%, with no unmet load and a yearly net real rate of 5.88%. This IHES configuration balances cost, reliability, and environmental impact, supporting agricultural productivity and aligning with the Ruga Initiative's goals of sustainable development and resource efficiency in Nigeria.