Investigating the Reliability and Optimal Capacity of Microgrid Electricity Storage Systems with the Aim of Reducing Costs

Abstract

Microgrids are inherently fluctuating, and their power production highly dependent on their optimal capacity and the primary energy source. Despite the unlimited availability of wind and solar resources, a self-sufficient wind or photovoltaic generator cannot supply a 24-hour load. This fluctuating nature poses challenges for power grid operation, as variations in wind and solar energy availability do not allow for meeting the demands of distributed loads consistently. Frequency changes due to fluctuations in wind power production are one of the key factors that hinder the penetration of wind generation technologies. One of the best options to address this challenge is the use of energy storage systems, which add the flexibility needed to integrate higher amounts of wind energy into the electrical grid. This alternative has been considered for many years. In fact, electricity generation systems using renewable sources require batteries to compensate for the aforementioned issues. By using batteries, wind generators can not only be used to provide the required load during peak hours, but they can also be used for frequency regulation. This research studies a microgrid including a microturbine, a wind turbine, a solar generation system, and a battery. By studying the features and specifications of common energy storage systems, the best option for the microgrid is determined, as well as its optimal storage capacity. The purpose of this research is to achieve the optimal power generation approach and improve the reliability of the system by considering the batteries during charging and discharging, in addition to the optimal capacity and the most suitable optimization algorithm.