Hybrid energy system sizing incorporating battery storage: An analysis via simulation calculation

In practical decentralized hybrid energy systems, there are often different renewable/conventional generators and battery storage. An over sizing of the system components significantly elevates the overall cost of the hybrid energy system. In this context the correct and cost effective system sizing as well as efficient system operation is important. In order to determine the optimal sizing of system components, a mixed integer linear mathematical programming model (time-series) has been developed, based on the evaluation of optimized system unit cost for a hybrid energy generation system consisting of small/micro hydro, biogas, biomass, photovoltaic array, a battery bank and a fossil fuel generator. An optimum control algorithm written in C++, based on combined dispatch strategy, allowing easy handling of the models and data of energy system components is presented. The sizing result of the components is based on a trade-off between the optimized cost of the system and other techno-economics parameters, as determined by the algorithm in conjunction with a time-series model. To demonstrate the use of model and algorithm, an application example is also presented.