Sizing stand-alone hybrid generation for seasonal irrigation pumping

Abstract

Abstract. This paper studies the generation to feed three stand-alone existing pumping systems in the province of Zaragoza (Spain), in the same area but with different consumption and irrigation needs. All of them are used only for half the year. We look for the optimal size of the generation mix, both economically and in reducing emissions.For simulation and optimization the program used is HOGA (Hybrid Optimization by Genetic Algorithms). It is considered diesel generation, photovoltaic and wind as well as storage. As renewable resources are almost identical in the three locations, the magnitude of energy demand and schedule are the distinctive parameters of each facility. We considered how to choose the optimum angle of the PV array, the preference between the solar and wind and the desirability of whether or not the diesel generator.The results show the importance of seasonality and time consumption profile to determine the generation mix and to choose the optimum inclination of the field of photovoltaic conversion. Results also show that most emissions reductions are not always obtained by removing the genset.