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Energy mix optimization is considered an essential tool for assessing the efficacy of renewable energy system (RES). Countless approaches have been employed by grid planning engineers and scientists to optimally size grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. Optimizing grid-connected PV systems is beneficial since it causes a reduction in the energy produced by the conventional power plants, and as a result, a reduction in the harmful emissions that are released as by-products. In this study, a large commercial load in the city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia is connected to an optimally designed grid-connected PV systems with the support of a battery storage system (BSS). First, using HOMER software, the system components are chosen by considering the electrical and economic variables. A comparative investigation is carried out for three configuration systems along with the detailed technical study for the proposed systems. Simulation results recommend utilizing a battery system and RES with a minimum cost of energy (COE) of $0.11. Using both HOMER and MATLAB, the PV, converter, and battery system optimal size are estimated by considering the net present cost (NPC), COE, excess electricity and energy savings, emissions, and renewable penetration ratio to find the most economical and environmental-friendly combination. The results show that 1.60 MW is the optimal capacity of each PV, converter, and battery BSS elements to achieve the minimum targeted emission and COE, which resulted in a reduction in the overall NPC of the scheme. When the optimal design is configurated, it is found that the unmet load is zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote areas electrification is usually achieved through costly and eco-unfriendly diesel generator (DG) systems with additional cost-obstacles arising through diesel–fuel transportation. Hybridization of renewable energy systems (RESs) with DG units offers a dynamic approach of electrification for the remote areas. A techno-economic study is required to assess the viability of RES in such locations. This research work examines the case of Al-Shumaisi cluster, located in the west of Makkah Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This is where the Makkah transport company (MTC) is located. A techno-economic investigation is performed for a commercial load profile of MTC with a hybrid wind/DG/fuel cell/battery/electrolyzer system. In this study, two hybrid configurations are proposed: 1) wind/DG/FC/battery system; 2) wind/FC/battery system. Moreover, another configuration that uses only DG units is also investigated. A comparative study is achieved for the most optimal combination, depending on the gross present cost (GPC) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) as the essential parameters. Furthermore, other financial parameters like operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, capital costs, and replacement costs are investigated. The well-recognized simulation tool, HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is used to fulfill this study. The sensitivity investigation is carried out by optimally scaling the configuration capacities as well as by monitoring the future changes like weather, load demand, and fuel price uncertainties. The results of the sensitivity investigation and HOMER simulation confirm that the wind/DG/FC/battery hybrid off-grid configuration is the most economic and eco-friendly solution with a total GPC of 7.045 million USD, COE of 0.271 USD/kWh, and CO2 emissions of 566 tons. This signifies the 13.84% reduction of net present cost compared to DG-based units, with a 64.2% decrease of pollutants and zero unmet load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microgrid systems, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) power and wind energy, integrated with diesel generators are promising energy supplies and are economically feasible for current and future use in relation to increased demands for energy and depletion of conventional sources. It is thus important to optimize the size of hybrid microgrid system (HMS) components, including storage, to determine system cost and reliability. In this paper, optimal sizing of a PV/wind/diesel HMS with battery storage is conducted using the Multi-Objective Self-Adaptive Differential Evolution (MOSaDE) algorithm for the city of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Using the multi-objective optimization approach, the objectives are treated simultaneously and independently, thereby leading to a reduction in computational time. One of the main criteria to consider when designing and optimizing the HMS is the energy management strategy, which is required to coordinate the different units comprising the HMS. The multi-objective optimization approach is then used to analyze the Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP), the Cost of Electricity (COE), and the Renewable Factor (RF) in relation to HMS cost and reliability and is tested using three case studies involving differing house numbers. Results verify its application in optimizing the HMS and in its practical implementation. In addition, optimization results using the proposed approach provided a set of design solutions for the HMS, which will assist researchers and practitioners in selecting the optimal HMS configuration. Moreover, it is important to select optimally sized HMS components to ensure that all load demands are met at the minimum energy cost and high reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new multi-objective method called Multi-Objective Electric Charged Particles Optimization (MOECPO) is proposed to optimally place wind turbines and at the same time select their optimal heights in an extensive area of wind farm considering several scenarios. This method permits the designer/planner to get several designs in just one run where the maximum efficiency and maximum output power are the objectives. Furthermore, while dealing with an optimization problem, reducing the number of design variables helps to simplify the problem and consequently improves the final solutions. In this paper, a smart approach which is based on binary coding is proposed and implemented for design variables reduction by a high factor. Under the scope of this research work, four case studies are investigated using two different sites and considering the same or different hub heights. The obtained Pareto set of solutions is represented by 96, 95, 199 and 209 solutions, for CASE 1, CASE 2, CASE3 and CASE 4, respectively. This front is spread over a large region and offers several interesting solutions with different number of turbines in the considered wind farm. The results or findings from the proposed approach allow the designer or planner to select the best solution or layout considering many factors. In addition, it can be used to plan the future extensions. • A new method to investigate the optimal location of wind turbines was proposed. • The optimization was done using multi-objective electric charged particles algorithm. • The multi-objective optimization was used to maximize efficiency and output power. • The smart approach was proposed and implemented for reducing design variables. • The results offer various solutions with different number of turbines in a wind farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource optimization is a major factor in the assessment of the effectiveness of renewable energy systems. Various methods have been utilized by different researchers in planning and sizing the grid-connected PV systems. This paper analyzes the optimal photovoltaic (PV) array and inverter sizes for a grid-connected PV system. Unmet load, excess electricity, fraction of renewable electricity, net present cost (NPC) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions percentage are considered in order to obtain optimal sizing of the grid-connected PV system. An optimum result, with unmet load and excess electricity of 0%, for serving electricity in Makkah, Saudi Arabia is achieved with the PV inverter size ratio of R = 1 with minimized CO 2 emissions. However, inverter size can be downsized to 68% of the PV nominal power to reduce the inverter cost, and hence decrease the total NPC of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HOMER software is a powerful tool for modeling and optimization of hybrid energy system (HES). The main two default control strategies in HOMER are load following (LF) and cycle charging (CC) strategies. In these strategies, the decision to use the generator or battery at each time step is made based on the lowest-cost choice. Therefore, these strategies are difficult to be implemented in practice especially in countries with continuous fuel price fluctuations. In this study, a new dispatch strategy based on HOMER-MATLAB Link Controller for an isolated wind/diesel/battery HES is proposed to overcome the limitations of the default HOMER strategies. A detailed technical, economic, and greenhouse gas emission analysis is presented for the system under LF, CC, and the proposed dispatch strategies. Besides offering more realistic optimization, the results show that the proposed strategy offers the best economic and environmental performance with a net present cost of $56473 and annual CO 2 emissions of 6838 kg. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis reveals that the proposed strategy is not affected by the fuel price variation, in opposite to LF, and CC strategies which is affected dramatically by this variation. The findings are of paramount importance towards more realistic and efficient energy management strategies. • A new dispatch strategy for wind/diesel/battery hybrid energy systems using HOMER-MATLAB Link Controller is proposed. • Overcome HOMER default strategies limitation in dealing with continuous fuel price fluctuations. • The proposed strategy is compared with HOMER default strategies in terms of techno-economic and environmental performance. • Sensitivity analysis is conducted by considering variations in critical parameters. • The proposed strategy is more realistic and has better economic and environmental performance than HOMER default strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iraq has massive potential for electricity generation from solar energy. Because the country currently suffers from daily electricity shortages, a grid-connected PV system is an unsuitable option since the PV cannot serve the load during the electricity blackouts. This paper aims to analyze the techno-economic and environmental feasibility of a solar PV microgrid system which is able to supply the load during both grid availability and outage periods. A household in Baghdad was selected as a case study. HOMER software was used to carry out the overall analysis using five different control strategies. The results indicated that the most economical configuration was achieved by allowing the grid to charge the batteries at all rates, with a net present cost (NPC) of $29,713. A sustainability assessment revealed that preventing the grid from charging the battery resulted in the highest renewable fraction and the lowest CO 2 emissions with 64.9% and 4533 kg/year, respectively. Furthermore, inserting a diesel generator to an economically optimized system was found to reduce the NPC by 11.6%, while increasing the CO 2 emissions by 32.7%. This study showed that implementing this sort of project can provide clean, economical, and continuous electricity production in countries with daily blackouts. • A PV microgrid energy solution by considering the grid blackouts is investigated for a case study in Iraq. • 5 different control strategies are proposed and examined. • HOMER software is used as a tool to determine the optimum configuration. • Techno-economic and environmental analysis is carried out for the proposed system. • Sensitivity analysis is conducted considering variations in some important parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]