Hybrid renewable energy systems, combining various kinds of technologies, have shown relatively high capabilities to solve reliability problems and have reduced cost challenges. The use of hybrid electricity generation/storage technologies as off-grid stand-alone systems is reasonable to overcome related shortcomings. Solar and wind energy are two rapidly emerging renewable ones that have precedence in comparison to the other kinds. In this regard, the present paper studies four specific locations in Iran, which are candidates for research centers. Based on the solar radiation and average wind speed maps, techno-economically optimized systems are designed by simulating behavior of various combinations of renewable energy systems with different sizing, including wind turbine (WT), photovoltaic (PV), Fuel cell (FC), and battery banks. According to the results obtained by a computer program, it is concluded that the hybrid systems including WT and PV with battery backup are less costly compared to the other systems. Moreover, we found that among non-hybrid systems, in most regions of Iran's territory PVs are more economical than WTs. Despite of its advantages, FC has not been applied in the optimal systems due to its high initial cost and its low replacement life. P PV : PV system output power β PV cell Temperature coefficient of efficiency I T : Solar radiation T c Average PV cell temperature η: PV system efficiency BV Battery Voltage A PV : The area of PV panel PE The primary stored energy in battery η pc: PV Auxiliary equipment Efficiency T a Ambient temperature η ec: PV module efficiency NOCT Normal operation cell temperature η r Rated PV module efficiency T a,NOCT Ambient temperature of NOCT
In REF , sizing of WT, PV, BES, and fuel cell is done based on the cost and reliability.
Economic sizing of a hybrid (PV–WT–FC) renewable energy system (HRES) for stand-alone usages by an optimization-simulation model: Case study of Iran
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews
Engineering