Dynamic optimization of solar-wind hybrid system connected to electrical battery or hydrogen as an energy storage system

Nowadays, due to the pollution arising from the consumption of fossil fuels, destructive effects of pollutants on humans and the environment, and the reduction of reserves of these energy resources, the tendency to utilize renewable energy to meet energy needs has increased. In this investigation, first, a grid-connected photovoltaic-wind-battery (PWB) hybrid system for an educational building is designed and optimized by implementing a genetic algorithm in MATLAB. The main goal is to minimize the annual total cost (ATC) and find the optimal sizes. The balance between the high costs of renewable electricity generation and the setting up a renewable system is achieved by applying the renewable energy fraction (f(RE)). In the second part, a photovoltaic-wind-fuel cell (PWF) hybrid system is designed and optimized in the same approach. A novel techno-economic-environmental comparison is performed to select the battery bank or hydrogen system as energy storage. Considering the environmental penalties, the effect of the environmental cost on the optimal sizes of components and annual total costs is investigated. Owing to the low tariff of the grid electricity as well as the high cost of the renewable systems, results confirms that the use of renewable systems is not cost-effective. Also, if the authorities and householders intend to implement a storage system to store electricity, battery bank is less expensive than fuel cell system. To apply scenarios to increase renewable energy penetration, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis on the ATCs and optimal sizes is conducted technically and economically. Highlights Designing, optimizing, and comparing of PWB and PWF systems are investigated GA in MATLAB is implemented to determine optimal sizes and minimum ATCs A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is performed on the ATCs and optimal sizes The installing of the hybrid systems with the current tariffs is not cost effective Superiority of the battery bank over the hydrogen system in residential storage

Automated summary

The study examines the design, optimization, and comparison of grid-connected photovoltaic-wind-battery (PWB) and photovoltaic-wind-fuel cell (PWF) hybrid systems, utilizing a genetic algorithm in MATLAB to determine optimal sizes and minimum ATCs. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is conducted on the ATCs and optimal sizes. The results show that the installation of hybrid systems with current tariffs is not cost-effective, and the battery bank is more cost-effective for residential storage compared to a fuel cell system.