A novel approach for optimal combinations of wind, PV, and energy storage system in diesel-free isolated communities

Abstract

A new approach for optimal combinations of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) is proposed, for diesel-free remote communities and related decision-making problems. The objective of the design is to satisfy the load with total cost’s minimization considering related constraints, where all analytical equations are given. The proposed system is a DC configuration for renewable energy integration in which Wind Turbines (WTs) are connected to the DC bus and the battery system removes the fluctuations in the DC bus. The WT is assumed to be well controlled to obtain the power curve and provide proper electricity to the grid. It is found that WT and Photovoltaic (PV) systems should be considered simultaneously on diesel-free generation islands to achieve a reliable and optimized configuration. A novel strategy is introduced for determining the range of batteries, which can be determined using the renewable energy potential to satisfy the load. It is also demonstrated that WTs are an essential power component in real HRES installations. It is illustrated that the range of WT operation must be first taken into account in real installations. Increasing WT fraction from an initial value, for instance 8%, to a desired value of about 33%, can lead to significant reductions in total cost as well as in the number of PV systems and batteries, even if the WT cost is significantly higher than that of PVs. A WT fraction higher than approximately 50% should not be considered. Finally, discussions are extended to consider the optimum WT fraction in a HRES.