Wind-Based Stand-Alone Hybrid Energy Systems

Abstract

This chapter introduces the reader to the definition and special features of wind-based stand-alone hybrid energy systems. The introduction emphasizes on the basic characteristics of stand-alone and hybrid energy systems including also representative application examples in different sectors. After a short reference to the historic development of wind stand-alone systems, the contribution of wind energy in distributed generation is analyzed. Furthermore, a short description of the energy storage systems’ available is carried out as an essential part of hybrid energy systems. The most common commercial system configurations of stand-alone systems are discussed in detail through case studies’ results which help the reader to obtain a comprehensive view of the opportunities provided by the different combinations. Finally, an overview of wind-based hybrid energy systems optimization techniques is presented, along with the most widely adopted optimization process indicators and a short reference to the most well-known free software tools which have been extensively used for design and optimize hybrid energy systems.