8 - Optimal Sizing and Designing of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Smart Grid Applications

Abstract

This chapter introduces an introduction about sizing and designing of renewable energy sources as wind and photovoltaic (PV) in a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES). A detailed economic methodologies used to study the feasibility of using HRES are introduced. A detailed methodology using smart technique to select the best HRES configuration is also introduced. An optimal sizing algorithm for HRES using smart grid load management applications based on the available generation has been introduced. This algorithm aims to maximize the system energy production and meet the load demand with minimum cost and highest reliability. This system is formed by PV array, wind turbines, storage batteries, and diesel generator as a backup source of energy. Demand profile shaping as one of the smart grid applications is introduced in this study using load shifting-based load priority. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used in this algorithm to determine the optimum size of the system components. The results obtained from this algorithm are compared with those from the iterative optimization technique to assess the adequacy of the proposed algorithm. The study in this chapter is performed in some of the remote areas in Saudi Arabia and can be expanded to any similar regions around the world. Numerous valuable results are extracted from this study could help researchers and decision-makers.