Sensitivity Analysis of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System in an Oil Facility Using HOMER

The increasing demand for reliable and cost-effective energy in oil production facilities has increased the need for optimized Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES). This study evaluates the technical and economic performance of a hybrid power system for an offshore oil facility using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software. The proposed system integrates solar photovoltaic (PV), diesel generators, battery storage, and wind energy. A two-dimensional sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying diesel fuel prices between $0.50–$1.00 per litre and inflation rates between 15–25% to assess their impact on system optimization and economic indicators. Simulation results show that the optimal configuration consists of 25.8 kW solar PV, a 50-kW diesel generator, 15 battery units, and a 22.6 kW converter, supplying the facility over a 20-year project lifetime. The Total Net Present Cost (NPC) increases significantly with rising fuel prices and inflation rates. At lower fuel prices and inflation rates, the PV/Diesel/Battery system is the most economical option, while higher inflation rates favour a PV/Diesel/Wind/Battery configuration. Spider plot analysis indicates that inflation rate has a stronger influence on NPC than fuel price, highlighting the importance of macroeconomic stability in long-term energy planning. These findings provide practical insights for energy planners and policymakers seeking sustainable and resilient power solutions for oil and gas facilities.