Optimal design and modeling of stand-alone hybrid PV-wind systems

This paper presents the development of an effective approach for design, simulation and analysis of hybrid PV-wind generating systems; which is based on discrete optimization of cost function and balance of energy. The total capacities of renewable systems are computed based on the estimated annual power consumption, average wind speed and sun radiation. To improve the performance of the system under different environmental conditions, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) of the photovoltaic system and blade angle pitch control of wind turbines are included. A discrete cost function is defined and optimized to determine optimal design options with minimum number of PV and wind units capable of supporting the yearly demand load. Finally, system simulation and energy balance calculations over a period of three years are used to compensate for design errors caused by the discrete nature of the optimization approach. Main contributions are the inclusion of renewable systems configurations, capacities, environmental factors and maximum power point tracking in the optimization procedure.