Techno‐economic optimization of a hybrid system composed of pumped hydro storage, photovoltaic module, and diesel generator in a multi‐objective framework

Abstract

Hybridization of photovoltaic (PV) module (as a non‐dispatchable resource), diesel generator (as a dispatchable source), and pumped hydro storage (PHS) (as an energy storage) can provide a promising hybrid energy system (HES). The main outlook of the present study is to develop an efficient multi‐objective framework for optimal design of an off‐grid PV/diesel/PHS HES in which a wide range of parameters related to PHS system is optimized. In the optimization framework, nine decision variables (number of PV modules, number of diesel generators, reservoir installation height, reservoir depth, reservoir diameter, pump's rated power, turbine's rated power, charge pipe diameter, and discharge pipe diameter) are optimized with respect to two objective functions: total net present cost (TNPC) and loss of power supply probability (LPSP). To determine how TNPC is affected by the change of the input variables, a sensitivity analysis is conducted by varying capital cost of PV, PHS, and diesel generator. To obtain a well‐distributed and widely spread Pareto front, a multi‐objective chaotic crow search algorithm (MO‐CCSA) is introduced. Simulation results show that at LPSP = 0% and 5%, levelized cost of energy is around 0.59 and 0.55 $/kWh, respectively. Moreover, variation of the PV capital cost has a significant impact on the TNPC value.

Design Optimization of a Hybrid Solar PV Panel and Pumped Hydro Energy Supply System

“…The adaptability component underscores the imperative to scrutinize and enhance this innovation through the prism of optimization to avert it from becoming yet another defunct electrical engineering concept relegated to the annals of history. When delving into the realm of designing a hybrid solar PV and pumped hydro system, optimization entails the maximization of the system's efficiency and performance by meticulously considering a myriad of electrical engineering factors [6] and juxtaposing them against suboptimal designs.…”