Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Industrial Resilience in Emerging Economies: A Case Study in Paraguay

Utilizing a specific industrial facility as a case of study, the research employs the Analytic

Hierarchy Process (AHP) to optimize the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) mix. These multi-criteria decision-making framework prioritizes technical reliability, economic viability

(LCOE), and operational resilience over pure environmental metrics. The resulting active distribution architecture comprises a 63% photovoltaic contribution (82 kWp) and a 37% biogas-based thermal generation share (48 kW). The designed topology is engineered to leverage the dispatchability and rotational inertia of the biogas synchronous generator to compensate for the stochastic nature of the PV component, ensuring firm power capability and frequency stability for sensitive industrial loads.

The technical design details the integration of an AC-coupled topology managed by an automatic transfer switchgear, enabling seamless transitions between grid-connected and islanded modes. Furthermore, the study incorporates a circular economy model where the valorization of organic waste produces biol (organic fertilizer), creating a secondary revenue stream that subsidizes the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Financial projections based on the technical design estimate a Net Present Value (NPV) of USD 12.5 million, validating the hybrid PV-Biogas model as a replicable standard for decentralized industrial energy supply.

The proposed system aligns with Paraguayan Law 6977/2023 on non-conventional renewable energy, offering a scalable blueprint for transforming passive industrial consumers into active prosumers capable of providing ancillary services to the distribution network.