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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]

In this paper, the potential of solar and wind energy-based distributed generation (DG) in Saudi Arabia is simultaneously analyzed with the aim of maximizing the utilization of available resources. It begins with an analysis of DG application potential for wind and solar energy resources in various regions of Saudi Arabia. The progress of DG applications in terms of research, planning, and exploitation of wind and solar energy resources is then presented. An assessment of the DG contribution to the energy sector of Saudi Arabia has been conducted and the barriers and challenges for the implementation of DG systems in the country are discussed with suggested measures to overcome the challenges. The main findings are that with the huge potential of wind and solar resources for DG applications the country has targeted 50 GW of wind and solar capacity by the year 2040. The Saudi government is expected to provide full support in the form of financial incentives for solar and wind energy projects in order to boost renewable energy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of hybrid wind/solar energy system in the west coast area of Saudi Arabia is analyzed in this paper. The investigation puts emphasis on the energy production and cost of energy from both wind turbine and photovoltaic (PV) in the hybrid system. Unmet electric load and excess electricity are taken into consideration. The annual average solar irradiation and wind speed considered in this study are 5.95 kWh/m 2 /day and 3.53 m/s, respectively. MATLAB and HOMER software are used to perform the technical and economic analyses of the hybrid system. As indicated from the simulation results, the PV array shares more electricity production than the wind turbine generator if both wind turbine and PV array are utilized in the wind/solar hybrid system with the same sizes. The wind levelized cost of energy is $0.149/kWh, which is more expensive than the solar energy of $0.0637/kWh. The energy cost of the hybrid system is dominated by battery and wind turbine expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]