Optihybrid: a modified firebug swarm optimization algorithm for optimal sizing of hybrid renewable power system

Abstract

In areas where conventional energy sources are unavailable, alternative energy technologies play a crucial role in generating electricity. These technologies offer various benefits, such as reliable energy supply, environmental sustainability, and employment opportunities in rural regions. This study focuses on the development of a novel optimization algorithm called the modified firebug swarm algorithm (mFSO). Its objective is to determine the optimal size of an integrated renewable power system for supplying electricity to a specific remote site in Dehiba town, located in the eastern province of Tataouine, Tunisia. The proposed configuration for the standalone hybrid system involves PV/biomass/battery, and three objective functions are considered: minimizing the total energy cost (COE), reducing the loss of power supply probability (LPSP), and managing excess energy (EXC). The effectiveness of the modified algorithm is evaluated using various tests, including the Wilcoxon test, boxplot analysis, and the ten benchmark functions of the CEC2020 benchmark. Comparative analysis between the mFSO and widely used algorithms like the original Firebug Swarm Optimization (FSO), Slime Mold Algorithm (SMA), and Seagull Optimization Algorithm (SOA) demonstrates that the proposed mFSO technique is efficient and effective in solving the design problem, surpassing other optimization algorithms.