Abstract:
The global energy industry is at the edge of fundamental revolution where renewable energy plays a major
role in responding to the challenges ranging from sustainability to environmental protection. However, the
use of a single renewable energy source in producing energy has been reducing due to the inconsistency of
resource streams. Consequently, the enhanced energy management strategies were developed by
integrating renewable resources with a standby entity and hence hybrid renewable energy systems explored
to the practice. Producing energy to unlimited increasing demand is a challenging issue currently faced by
Sri Lanka. Although some studies have been performed for hybrid renewable energy systems, i.e. wind and
solar across the world, this is an understudied area and thus, very little information is available in Sri
Lanka. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the applicability of solar and wind hybrid
renewable concept as a solution for energy crisis in Sri Lanka. A comprehensive literature review was
conducted to identify the significance and the emergence of hybrid energy sources. Eight (08) semi
structured expert interviews were conducted with information related to solar, wind, renewable energy
sources, and hybrid systems, by adopting a qualitative research approach. Collected data were then
subjected to content analysis in deriving the research outcome. The findings revealed positive perceptions
on implementation of solar–wind hybrid renewable energy systems in Sri Lanka and the importance of
intervention at policy level for the success. Lack of knowledge on hybrid concept and updated technologies,
limited financial investments, and policy incentive dilemmas, were identified as few limitations.
Citation:
Mendis, K.S.L., Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S., & Ekanayake, E.M.A.C. (2017). Hybrid renewable energy as a solution for the energy crisis in Sri Lanka. In Y.G. Sandanayake, T. Ramachandra & S. Gunatilake (Eds.), What’s new and what’s next in the built environment sustainability agenda? (pp. 232-242). Ceylon Institute of Builders. https://ciobwcs.com/downloads/WCS2017-Proceedings.pdf