Design and Optimization Strategy to Size Resilient Stand-Alone Hybrid Microgrids in Various Climatic Conditions

Abstract

This paper presents an original two-steps methodology to size DERs (Distributed Energy Resources) in stand-alone microgrids, to be installed in different areas, featuring different meteorological conditions, but same kind of loads. Design examples are simulated to analyze how an increased level of resilience, considered in terms of number of days of autonomy after an initial incident, affects the sizing of a PV field and its storage. A practical tool to support strategic choices is methodologically illustrated and applied to two case studies to find the best configuration, which is identified by a trade-off among fuel consumption, sizes of PV arrays and resilience. Key design parameters help in designing the best system according to the location, by focusing on the newly identified key performance indicator N P V s , the simplified net present value of specific scenarios of interest, where a penalty is introduced to account for less than the ideal target of autonomy. The model-based design used to create the microgrid simulations is validated by experimental measurements on a test-bed hybrid microgrid.