Optimal configuration of island's energy supply system

Most islands depend mainly on imported fossil fuels for electricity production while presenting a considerable potential in renewable energies. However, unlike hydro or geothermal energy sources that can account for the base load, intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar energy, have to tackle the need for energy storage. Advanced energy planning must be used to combine different intermittent and regular sources in order to match electricity demand and assure security of supply. In this study, the Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach is used to determine the optimal configuration of power generating systems in an island with renewable energy using hourly data over one year. The energy system analysed is a hybrid system constituted by a photovoltaic system, batteries and the existing diesel generator in Monte Trigo village, in the island of Santo Antao, Cape Verde. The objective function of the GA is the total cost of the electricity produced over one year. The result is the least costly electrical power system for the village