Size optimisation of hybrid wind-PV power generation systems for remote rural areas

Electrical power generation with renewable energies, such as wind and solar, plays an important role in the electrification of remote rural areas. Since there are always seasonal and synoptic variations in wind and solar resources, a hybrid system, consisting of both wind and solar energy, may be more reliable and economical than a single energy system: this is because either energy can compensate variations in the other. A storage battery is also necessary for such an autonomous hybrid system to keep balance between loads and generators, and has a large impact on system performance. A basic task in system design is to determine the capacity of this equipment. This paper deals with the impact of resource variations on actual power generation, analyses the principle of system operation, and develops a model for optimisation of the capacities. A case study and comparison are performed to validate the proposed model.