The Optimal Design of a Hybrid Solar PV/Wind/Hydrogen/Lithium Battery for the Replacement of a Heavy Fuel Oil Thermal Power Plant

Abstract

Renewable energies are clean alternatives to the highly polluting fossil fuels that are still used in the power generation sector. The goal of this research was to look into replacing a Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) thermal power plant in Limbe, southwest Cameroon, with a hybrid photovoltaic (PV) and wind power plant combined with a storage system. Lithium batteries and hydrogen associated with fuel cells make up this storage system. The total cost (TC) of the project over its lifetime was minimized in order to achieve the optimal sizing of the hybrid power plant components. To ensure the reliability of the new hybrid power plant, a criterion measuring the loss of power supply probability (LPSP) was implemented as a constraint. Moth Flame Optimization (MFO), Improved Grey Wolf Optimizer (I-GWO), Multi-Verse Optimizer (MVO), and African Vulture Optimization Algorithm (AVOA) were used to solve this single-objective optimization problem. The optimization techniques entailed the development of mathematical models of the components, with hourly weather data for the selected site and the output of the replaced thermal power plant serving as input data. All four algorithms produced acceptable and reasonably comparable results. However, in terms of proportion, the total cost obtained with the MFO algorithm was 0.32%, 0.40%, and 0.63% lower than the total costs obtained with the I-GWO, MVO, and AVOA algorithms, respectively. Finally, the effect of the type of storage coupled to the PV and wind systems on the overall project cost was assessed. The MFO meta-heuristic was used to compare the results for the PV–Wind–Hydrogen–Lithium Battery, PV–Wind–Hydrogen, and PV–Wind–Lithium Battery scenarios. The scenario of the PV–Wind–Hydrogen–Lithium Battery had the lowest total cost. This scenario’s total cost was 2.40% and 18% lower than the PV–Wind–Hydrogen and PV–Wind–Lithium Battery scenarios.

Application of Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies in Buildings: A Mini-Review

“…If there are alternative forms of power generation assistance available, the performance of photovoltaic systems will be significantly improved. In addition to grid-connected systems [56], photovoltaic power generation is also linked to other wind-powered generation systems [57], fossil fuel power generation [58] and batteries [59] for assistance. What is more, it is predicted that the share of photovoltaic energy in total electricity demand will significantly increase.…”

Optimal sizing and location of grid-interfaced PV, PHES, and ultra capacitor systems to replace LFO and HFO based power generations

“…The loss of power supply probability is a criterion that estimates the rate of energy deficit relative to demand over a given time period. This reliability criterion has been used in a number of studies 63 – 66 . It is calculated using Eq.…”

Optimal Sizing and Design of a Photovoltaic-Wind-Fuel Cell Storage System Using Zebra Optimization Algorithm

“…To raise system e ciency and boost power supply reliability, several energy sources are being used, such as wind, solar, fuel cells (FCs), hydropower, biomass, and biogas. Additionally, FCs are employed as a backup storage device because their e ciency is higher than those of batteries [3][4][5][6][7]. The majority of HRESs are utilized either alone or in conjunction with an electrical grid.…”