Optimal selection of pumped hydro storage based renewable energy generator(s) for isolated community using binary sort and search algorithm

In this paper, optimal selection of renewable energy generator(s) for supplying isolated loads in a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner based on the available renewable energy resource within a given location is presented. The selection is based on minimum cost of energy (COE), loss of power supply probability (LPSP) and dump energy. The proposed scheme utilizes binary sort and search algorithm and is implemented in Matlab environment. To test the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed scheme, two scenarios are performed for a typical isolated community not supply with the national grid. The scenarios are based on the two available seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. Simulation results show that during the dry season (October-March), the combination of PV and wind turbine is the best option to meet the village energy need with lowest LPSP of 0.00, COE of 0.2839 $/Wh, dump 5097 Wh and score combination index (SCI) of 8.4. Meanwhile, the best renewable energy generators option for raining season is found to be the combination of PV, wind turbine (WT) and Hydrokinetic turbine (HKT) with the LPSP of 0.000, COE of 0.4047 $/Wh, dump energy of 4871.2 Wh and SCI 9.54.