Techno-Economic Design and Optimal Operation of Active Radial Active Distribution Network Using Online Optimizer: Real Case Study in Sohag, Egypt

Abstract

Continuous development in renewable resources technologies and a lot of trials to overcome integration problems to main grid or even work as isolated grid. Depending on region nature; renewables with grid can form hybrid renewable energy resources (HRERs) that can introduce economical, technical and environment friendly solutions for load supply. This research produces a framework to HRERs system from design plan to optimal operation for a real case study grid connected in Sohag-Egypt. This paper proposes set of simulators working in parallel; HOMER PRO software for techno-economic system electrification and NEPLAN software for system simulation both of them connected to C++ online optimizer to control all parameters for optimal operation. The optimal size and configuration of the hybrid system are determined based on different scenarios of hybridization of energy resources are studied and assessed considering technical, economic and environmental perspectives. The results indicate that the proposed hybrid Grid/PV/WT/Diesel system is founded as the most feasible economic solution for supplying the investigated area because it reaches the minimum net present cost (NPC) and cost of energy (COE) with the lowest levels of gases emissions and fuel consumption compared to the grid only feeding system. In addition, this hybrid system with soft open points (SOPs) potentially gets the minimum system losses to beside enhancing system voltage profile and lines loading reserve where it is working as an Active Distribution network (ADN).