Towards self-sufficiency in energy through microgrids with least possible emissions

As worldwide energy demand keeps increasing and concerns about climate change, alongside global competition for energy resources, become more prominent, the necessity of shifting towards sustainable energy systems and aiming for self-sufficiency has become crucial. This thesis serves as a source of inspiration for countries rich in renewable resources, such as Türkiye, encouraging them to take significant steps towards achieving energy self-sufficiency by adopting microgrid technology and complementary solutions using the HOMER program as a simulation and optimization tool. The research aims to develop a comprehensive strategy for tackling urgent energy issues and assess the feasibility and efficacy of microgrid systems in achieving energy self-sufficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study starts by examining climate change-related problems and their links to the energy industry and then focuses on wind and solar power, which enjoy worldwide maturity. Subsequently, the following section offers a comprehensive overview of microgrid principles. Finally, it employs the HOMER software to develop various microgrid scenarios, optimizing power generation and storage configurations to minimize emissions by harnessing renewable energy sources. Thorough simulations and sensitivity analyses enabled this study to identify the most effective strategies for achieving energy self-sufficiency while minimizing emissions. The findings from this study provide a comprehensive basis for policymakers, allowing them to create sustainable energy solutions and decrease emissions, thereby advancing energy independence.