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This study examined the optimal size of an autonomous hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) for a residential application in Buea, located in the southwest region of Cameroon. Two hybrid systems, PV-Battery and PV-Battery-Diesel, have been evaluated in order to determine which was the better option. The goal of this research was to propose a dependable, low-cost power source as an alternative to the unreliable and highly unstable electricity grid in Buea. The decision criterion for the proposed HRES was the cost of energy (COE), while the system's dependability constraint was the loss of power supply probability (LPSP). The crayfish optimization algorithm (COA) was used to optimize the component sizes of the proposed HRES, and the results were contrasted to those obtained from the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), sine cosine algorithm (SCA), and grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA). The MATLAB software was used to model the components, criteria, and constraints of this single-objective optimization problem. The results obtained after simulation for LPSP of less than 1% showed that the COA algorithm outperformed the other three techniques, regardless of the configuration. Indeed, the COE obtained using the COA algorithm was 0.06%, 0.12%, and 1% lower than the COE provided by the WOA, SCA, and GOA algorithms, respectively, for the PV-Battery configuration. Likewise, for the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration, the COE obtained using the COA algorithm was 0.065%, 0.13%, and 0.39% lower than the COE provided by the WOA, SCA, and GOA algorithms, respectively. A comparative analysis of the outcomes obtained for the two configurations indicated that the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration exhibited a COE that was 4.32% lower in comparison to the PV-Battery configuration. Finally, the impact of the LPSP reduction on the COE was assessed in the PV-Battery-Diesel configuration. The decrease in LPSP resulted in an increase in COE owing to the nominal capacity of the diesel generator., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This paper explores scenarios for powering rural areas in Gaita Selassie with renewable energy plants, aiming to reduce system costs by optimizing component numbers to meet energy demands. Various scenarios, such as combining solar photovoltaic (PV) with pumped hydro-energy storage (PHES), utilizing wind energy with PHES, and integrating a hybrid system of PV, wind, and PHES, have been evaluated based on diverse criteria, encompassing financial aspects and reliability. To achieve the results, meta-heuristics such as the Multiobjective Gray wolf optimization algorithm (MOGWO) and Multiobjective Grasshopper optimization algorithm (MOGOA) were applied using MATLAB software. Moreover, optimal component sizing has been investigated utilizing real-time assessment data and meteorological data from Gaita Sillasie, Ethiopia. Metaheuristic optimization techniques were employed to pinpoint the most favorable loss of power supply probability (LPSP) with the least cost of energy (COE) and total life cycle cost (TLCC) for the hybrid system, all while meeting operational requirements in various scenarios. The Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimization (MOGWO) technique outperformed the Multi-Objective Grasshopper Optimization Algorithm (MOGOA) in optimizing the problem, as suggested by the results. Furthermore, based on MOGWO findings, the hybrid solar PV-Wind-PHES system demonstrated the lowest COE (0.126€/kWh) and TLCC (€6,897,300), along with optimal satisfaction of the village's energy demand and LPSP value. In the PV-Wind-PHSS scenario, the TLCC and COE are 38%, 18%, 2%, and 1.5% lower than those for the Wind-PHS and PV-PHSS scenarios at LPSP 0%, according to MOGWO results. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights into the design and implementation of sustainable energy solutions for remote communities, paving the way for enhanced energy access and environmental sustainability., (© 2024. The Author(s).)