On the Systematic Design and Optimization under Uncertainty of a Hybrid Power Generation System Using Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Storage

This work addresses the optimal design and operation of a hybrid power generation system that uses renewable energy sources (RES) and hydrogen storage, while simultaneously accounting for associated design uncertainties in the form of stochastic variations in operating conditions. The considered hybrid system consists of photovoltaic panels, wind generators, accumulators, an electrolysis apparatus, hydrogen storage tanks, a compressor, a fuel cell and a diesel generator. The proposed design methodology involves the development of a power management strategy to determine all the feasible ways of dispatching power among the employed sub-systems. This is used in conjunction with an optimization method that considers design variables in the form of structural and operating parameters, as they directly affect the system performance. To emulate realistic operating conditions, the proposed design methodology is coupled with a systematic method to enable the efficient incorporation of uncertainties stemming from frequent external and internal system variations. Such uncertainties involve the fluctuating solar radiation and wind speed as well as the efficiency of the various energy conversion subsystems. The implementation of the design methodology results to robust and practically realizable system schemes, able to achieve high performance under a wide range of operating conditions.