Optimal sizing and feasibility analysis of grid-isolated renewable hybrid microgrids: Effects of energy management controllers

Renewable energy dispatching strategy is considered a crucial step to control hybrid energy systems. Achieving a profitable and reliable energy configuration that satisfies continuous operation at minimum cost is necessary due to the high cost of renewable energy technologies. This paper offers a sustainable framework and techno-feasibility evaluation of stand-alone hybrid power options for electrification in Persian Gulf Islands, namely, Larak, Failaka, and Lavan. The real-time hourly irradiation, wind speed, and wave velocity are used to explore new patterns in renewable behavior, using cycle charging (CC) and load following (LF) strategies. Integration of CC-controlled 150 kW generator, 349 kW photovoltaic system, 3 hydrokinetic turbines, 1 wind turbine, 316 kWh battery pack, and 287 kW converter in Lavan Island is found as an optimal solution. The followed NPC, COE, and the renewable fraction of the winning solution are estimated to be M0.160$, $0.013 kWh, and 26% higher than LF mode. The CC-based energy systems, on average, consume more fuel than LF-based options and, followingly, have a lower renewable fraction. The COE rises by $0.001/kWh to $0.004/kWh under CC mode and $0.004/kWh to $0.01 kWh under LF control per each 5% increase in SOCmin values. Although the capital cost under LF is $300 k higher than the CC one, the salvage cost of this controller is estimated to be slightly lower than the CC mode. (C)& nbsp;2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.