Cost-effective sizing of an AC mini-grid hybrid power system for a remote area in South Australia

Matthew Combe, Amin Mahmoudi, Mohammed Haque, Rahmat Khezri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study determines the optimal capacity of various components of an AC mini-grid hybrid power system in a remote area of South Australia. A range of generation and storage technologies, such as diesel generators, wind turbines, solar photovoltaic arrays, battery banks, and flywheels are considered. A minimum system operating reserve is maintained to ensure a certain degree of reliability. Four different configurations of hybrid power systems are analysed in hourly time-steps, over a year, using real data for system load, solar insolation, ambient temperature, and wind speed. Particle swarm optimisation approach is used to optimise the capacity of various components of each hybrid system to obtain the minimum net present cost (NPC) over a 20-year system lifespan. Suitable capital, operating, and maintenance costs in Australian context are considered in evaluating the system. Various simulation results, such as annual energy balances, NPCs, levelised cost of energy and cash flow analysis obtained for each optimised system are carefully analysed and discussed. The modelling and results confirms the feasibility and economical replacement of the diesel power system with those of hybrid power systems which use renewable energy supply.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)277-287
Number of pages11
JournalIET Generation, Transmission & Distribution
Volume13
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2019

Keywords

  • diesel-electric generators
  • diesel-electric power stations
  • wind turbines
  • power generation economics
  • particle swarm optimisation
  • optimisation
  • power grids
  • solar power stations
  • hybrid power systems
  • photovoltaic power systems
  • renewable energy sources
  • power generation reliability
  • remote area
  • South Australia
  • storage technologies
  • generation
  • minimum system operating reserve

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