Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Homes and Buildings
- Simo D
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
This post was originally published to Green Building Canada on December 4, 2025
Our world is ever-evolving. The climate is changing rapidly. Sea levels are rising, the frequency of extreme weather events is increasing, and the depletion of natural resources is intensifying. In this current climate and economic environment, alternative and renewable energy sources are necessary to mitigate the consequences of our anthropocentric worldview.
Power generation accounts for a significant share of Canada’s carbon emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), power generation contributes more than half of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and Canada reflects this troubling trend. Alberta, in particular, relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, with natural gas-fired plants accounting for approximately 74% of the province's power production in 2023. Reliance on nonrenewable energy sources for electricity generation has made the electricity sector a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, underscoring the pressing need for innovative power generation solutions.
One effective answer to these challenges is hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES), which present a sustainable solution to our energy generation needs. This article explores the ins and outs of hybrid renewable energy systems, the typical components used, and proven, reliable HRES setups.
What Are Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems?
HRESs combine multiple renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, with a power storage solution to optimize energy production and reliability. When two or more components are combined, they provide greater reliability and efficiency than a single-component system. Furthermore, when integrated with an automated system, these systems offer an excellent sustainable energy source.
How They Work
Properly designed HRES meet the energy demands of dwellings and buildings, including electricity, heating, and cooling. Using only renewable energy sources, they support the net-zero energy building (nZEB) concept and contribute to the flexibility and intelligent energy management in buildings. Hybrid systems enable real-time monitoring and interaction with energy grids, enhancing a building's ability to respond to energy demands dynamically and supporting the trend toward smart buildings that optimize energy use and reduce costs.
HRES and the Green Building Industry
In the green building industry, hybrid renewable energy systems aim to minimize environmental impact and energy consumption. The integration of HRES reduces operational costs and significantly lowers carbon emissions. For instance, a study on zero-energy communities found that integrating battery storage with HRES could reduce carbon emissions by up to 91% and increase the investment's net present value.
Components of HRES
Each element forms a comprehensive and flexible framework for hybrid renewable energy systems. Combining multiple energy sources, integrating power storage, and including backup solutions ensure reliable, sustainable power tailored to diverse needs and conditions.
Solar Power
Solar power is a cornerstone of hybrid renewable energy systems, using photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electricity. This clean, renewable energy source is ideal for areas with abundant sunlight. Since PVs don’t generate power at night, solar is paired with other components to ensure reliability during periods of low sunlight. Its ability to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources and lower greenhouse gas emissions makes solar an essential component of hybrid renewable energy systems.
Wind Power
Wind power is another fundamental element of hybrid systems. Using wind turbines to generate electricity is effective in regions with consistent wind patterns, like coastal or rural areas. Unlike solar power, wind turbines can operate at night or on cloudy days, providing a complementary energy source that offsets solar's limitations.
Biomass Energy
Biomass energy systems convert organic materials, such as sewage, municipal waste solid waste, forestry byproducts, and animal residues, into usable energy through combustion, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and other methods. Biomass energy offers twofold benefits: it provides a renewable energy source and is a practical method for waste management. In hybrid systems, it can act as a backup source, ensuring energy availability when solar or wind production is insufficient.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy taps into the Earth's heat to provide reliable heating, cooling, and electricity generation. This energy source is highly reliable, unaffected by weather, and capable of delivering a steady energy supply year-round.
Integrated Energy Storage Solutions for Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
Energy storage solutions, such as batteries, are critical for balancing energy supply and demand in hybrid renewable energy systems. Batteries store excess energy generated by renewable sources, allowing it to be used during periods of low production, such as at night or during calm wind conditions. This capability improves the system's efficiency and reliability, minimizing energy waste and ensuring a consistent power supply for homes and buildings. Integrated energy storage is particularly vital for off-grid systems, where grid support is unavailable.
Generators
While not a pinnacle of sustainability, propane or natural gas generators play a crucial role as backup energy sources in hybrid renewable systems. They are particularly valuable for off-grid homes or during prolonged outages when renewable sources alone may not suffice, providing an additional layer of energy security. Their integration ensures that hybrid systems remain functional under all circumstances, bridging gaps in renewable energy availability.
Common Types of Hybrid Setups
An HRES can be any combination of renewable energy sources, like geothermal-solar or biomass-wind-battery. However, specific setups have demonstrated particular efficacy in the field and have been widely adopted. Here are some common hybrid systems:
Solar-Battery Hybrid System
One of the most common setups, solar power generation with battery storage, is prolific in the renewables industry. It is ideal for regions with ample sunlight or for communities with grid-access restrictions. The batteries allow excess power to be stored for nighttime use or during cloudy conditions and address solar’s inherent power fluctuations. Solar-battery hybrid systems ensure grid independence by providing a reliable backup power source when installed in communities with established utility providers. A notable Canadian example of a solar-battery hybrid system is the Fort Chipewyan Solar Farm in Alberta, which captures and stores solar energy for use in remote communities.
Solar-Diesel Hybrid Systems
A typical consumer setup for remote locations and off-grid residential solar setups, the solar-diesel hybrid is a reliable option for places where solar alone cannot meet energy demands. The two components in this system play off each other: the generator provides backup during prolonged cloudy periods or high demand, and the solar energy reduces diesel consumption, lowering operational costs and emissions. This symbiosis is evident at the Colville Lake Solar Project in the Northwest Territories, where the provincial utility provider installed a solar-diesel-battery system to provide reliable, sustainable energy to the remote community.
Solar-Wind Hybrid System
Another typical hybrid setup is solar and wind, which provides a consistent power source: the solar panels generate power during the day, while the wind turbines provide power at night or during cloudy periods. This setup ensures a consistent energy supply in the right conditions: ample sun and consistent winds. The complementary nature of these two subsystems reduces the need for extensive energy storage, though they are often paired with batteries.
Hybrid Systems: The Future of Energy for Homes and Buildings
Hybrid renewable energy systems represent the next frontier in addressing modern energy challenges. By combining multiple renewable sources such as solar, wind, or biomass with advanced storage and backup technologies, these systems offer a reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective solution for power generation. Adoption of these technological power-generating combinations is spreading nationwide and across industry sectors. TransAlta, a Western Sustainable Power Corporation subsidiary in Alberta, Canada, has successfully installed and operated a utility-scale lithium-ion battery storage facility to capture power from the Summerview Wind Farm. Projects like this demonstrate the future of this technology in providing reliable, large-scale power generation and storage.
Similarly, technological and industry advancements in the commercial sector are making hybrid setups more accessible and affordable to homeowners and businesses. One company that has led the consumer adoption of HRES is Volts Energies. With over 20 years of experience, Volts Energies provides innovative, efficient energy systems tailored to industrial, institutional, residential, and commercial applications. The company emphasizes energy independence and environmental sustainability by delivering high-quality products and services that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer a rapid return on investment.
To learn more about the innovative solutions for renewable energy systems and move toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, visit the Volts Energies website and continue exploring Green Building Canada resources.
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