IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v14y2021i7p1988-d529672.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Sizing Method for PV–Battery–Generator Systems for Off-Grid Applications Based on the LCOE

Author

Listed:
  • Ioannis E. Kosmadakis

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece)

  • Costas Elmasides

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece)

Abstract

Electricity supply in nonelectrified areas can be covered by distributed renewable energy systems. The main disadvantage of these systems is the intermittent and often unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources. Moreover, the temporal distribution of renewable energy may not match that of energy demand. Systems that combine photovoltaic modules with electrical energy storage (EES) can eliminate the above disadvantages. However, the adoption of such solutions is often financially prohibitive. Therefore, all parameters that lead to a functionally reliable and self-sufficient power generation system should be carefully considered during the design phase of such systems. This study proposes a sizing method for off-grid electrification systems consisting of photovoltaics (PV), batteries, and a diesel generator set. The method is based on the optimal number of PV panels and battery energy capacity whilst minimizing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for a period of 25 years. Validations against a synthesized load profile produced grid-independent systems backed by different accumulator technologies, with LCOEs ranging from 0.34 EUR/kWh to 0.46 EUR/kWh. The applied algorithm emphasizes a parameter of useful energy as a key output parameter for which the solar harvest is maximized in parallel with the minimization of the LCOE.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioannis E. Kosmadakis & Costas Elmasides, 2021. "A Sizing Method for PV–Battery–Generator Systems for Off-Grid Applications Based on the LCOE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-29, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:7:p:1988-:d:529672
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/7/1988/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/7/1988/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei, Zhongbao & Li, Xiaolu & Xu, Lijun & Cheng, Yanting, 2013. "Comparative study of computational intelligence approaches for NOx reduction of coal-fired boiler," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 683-692.
    2. Aldersey-Williams, J. & Rubert, T., 2019. "Levelised cost of energy – A theoretical justification and critical assessment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 169-179.
    3. Rodríguez-Gallegos, Carlos D. & Yang, Dazhi & Gandhi, Oktoviano & Bieri, Monika & Reindl, Thomas & Panda, S.K., 2018. "A multi-objective and robust optimization approach for sizing and placement of PV and batteries in off-grid systems fully operated by diesel generators: An Indonesian case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 410-429.
    4. Lai, Chun Sing & McCulloch, Malcolm D., 2017. "Levelized cost of electricity for solar photovoltaic and electrical energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 191-203.
    5. Dufo-López, Rodolfo & Bernal-Agustín, José L. & Yusta-Loyo, José M. & Domínguez-Navarro, José A. & Ramírez-Rosado, Ignacio J. & Lujano, Juan & Aso, Ismael, 2011. "Multi-objective optimization minimizing cost and life cycle emissions of stand-alone PV–wind–diesel systems with batteries storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 4033-4041.
    6. Ioannis E. Kosmadakis & Costas Elmasides & Dimitrios Eleftheriou & Konstantinos P. Tsagarakis, 2019. "A Techno-Economic Analysis of a PV-Battery System in Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-14, April.
    7. Blejer, Mario I. & Eden, Benjamin, 1979. "A note on the specification of the fisher equation under inflation uncertainty," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 3(3), pages 249-255.
    8. Yilmaz, Saban & Dincer, Furkan, 2017. "Optimal design of hybrid PV-Diesel-Battery systems for isolated lands: A case study for Kilis, Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 344-352.
    9. Bahramara, S. & Moghaddam, M. Parsa & Haghifam, M.R., 2016. "Optimal planning of hybrid renewable energy systems using HOMER: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 609-620.
    10. Haytham El-houari & Amine Allouhi & Shafiqur Rehman & Mahmut Sami Buker & Tarik Kousksou & Abdelmajid Jamil & Bouchta El Amrani, 2019. "Design, Simulation, and Economic Optimization of an Off-Grid Photovoltaic System for Rural Electrification," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
    11. Shang, Ce & Srinivasan, Dipti & Reindl, Thomas, 2016. "Generation-scheduling-coupled battery sizing of stand-alone hybrid power systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 671-682.
    12. Marqusee, Jeffrey & Jenket, Donald, 2020. "Reliability of emergency and standby diesel generators: Impact on energy resiliency solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    13. Mandelli, Stefano & Brivio, Claudio & Colombo, Emanuela & Merlo, Marco, 2016. "A sizing methodology based on Levelized Cost of Supplied and Lost Energy for off-grid rural electrification systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 475-488.
    14. Andersen, Frits Møller & Baldini, Mattia & Hansen, Lars Gårn & Jensen, Carsten Lynge, 2017. "Households’ hourly electricity consumption and peak demand in Denmark," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 607-619.
    15. Ghafoor, Abdul & Munir, Anjum, 2015. "Design and economics analysis of an off-grid PV system for household electrification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 496-502.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rahmat Khezri & Amin Mahmoudi & Hirohisa Aki & S. M. Muyeen, 2021. "Optimal Planning of Remote Area Electricity Supply Systems: Comprehensive Review, Recent Developments and Future Scopes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-29, September.
    2. Jiaxin Lu & Weijun Wang & Yingchao Zhang & Song Cheng, 2017. "Multi-Objective Optimal Design of Stand-Alone Hybrid Energy System Using Entropy Weight Method Based on HOMER," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-17, October.
    3. García-Villoria, Alberto & Domenech, Bruno & Ferrer-Martí, Laia & Juanpera, Marc & Pastor, Rafael, 2020. "Ad-hoc heuristic for design of wind-photovoltaic electrification systems, including management constraints," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    4. Ridha, Hussein Mohammed & Gomes, Chandima & Hizam, Hashim & Ahmadipour, Masoud & Heidari, Ali Asghar & Chen, Huiling, 2021. "Multi-objective optimization and multi-criteria decision-making methods for optimal design of standalone photovoltaic system: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    5. Alsagri, Ali Sulaiman & Alrobaian, Abdulrahman A. & Nejlaoui, Mohamed, 2021. "Techno-economic evaluation of an off-grid health clinic considering the current and future energy challenges: A rural case study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 34-52.
    6. William López-Castrillón & Héctor H. Sepúlveda & Cristian Mattar, 2021. "Off-Grid Hybrid Electrical Generation Systems in Remote Communities: Trends and Characteristics in Sustainability Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-29, May.
    7. Alexandros Korkovelos & Dimitrios Mentis & Morgan Bazilian & Mark Howells & Anwar Saraj & Sulaiman Fayez Hotaki & Fanny Missfeldt-Ringius, 2020. "Supporting Electrification Policy in Fragile States: A Conflict-Adjusted Geospatial Least Cost Approach for Afghanistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-34, January.
    8. Chennaif, Mohammed & Maaouane, Mohamed & Zahboune, Hassan & Elhafyani, Mohammed & Zouggar, Smail, 2022. "Tri-objective techno-economic sizing optimization of Off-grid and On-grid renewable energy systems using Electric system Cascade Extended analysis and system Advisor Model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    9. Toopshekan, Ashkan & Yousefi, Hossein & Astaraei, Fatemeh Razi, 2020. "Technical, economic, and performance analysis of a hybrid energy system using a novel dispatch strategy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    10. Beatrice Marchi & Simone Zanoni & Marco Pasetti, 2019. "Multi-Period Newsvendor Problem for the Management of Battery Energy Storage Systems in Support of Distributed Generation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-13, December.
    11. Wilhelm Kuckshinrichs, 2021. "LCOE: A Useful and Valid Indicator—Replica to James Loewen and Adam Szymanski," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-8, January.
    12. Sanghyun Sung & Wooyong Jung, 2019. "Economic Competitiveness Evaluation of the Energy Sources: Comparison between a Financial Model and Levelized Cost of Electricity Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-21, October.
    13. Ma, Qian & Huang, Xiang & Wang, Feng & Xu, Chao & Babaei, Reza & Ahmadian, Hossein, 2022. "Optimal sizing and feasibility analysis of grid-isolated renewable hybrid microgrids: Effects of energy management controllers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    14. Veldhuis, A.J. & Reinders, A.H.M.E., 2015. "Reviewing the potential and cost-effectiveness of off-grid PV systems in Indonesia on a provincial level," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 757-769.
    15. Ren, Zhengen & Paevere, Phillip & Chen, Dong, 2019. "Feasibility of off-grid housing under current and future climates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 196-211.
    16. Laetitia Uwineza & Hyun-Goo Kim & Jan Kleissl & Chang Ki Kim, 2022. "Technical Control and Optimal Dispatch Strategy for a Hybrid Energy System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-19, April.
    17. Come Zebra, Emília Inês & van der Windt, Henny J. & Nhumaio, Geraldo & Faaij, André P.C., 2021. "A review of hybrid renewable energy systems in mini-grids for off-grid electrification in developing countries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    18. Cai, Wei & Li, Xing & Maleki, Akbar & Pourfayaz, Fathollah & Rosen, Marc A. & Alhuyi Nazari, Mohammad & Bui, Dieu Tien, 2020. "Optimal sizing and location based on economic parameters for an off-grid application of a hybrid system with photovoltaic, battery and diesel technology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    19. Lai, Chun Sing & McCulloch, Malcolm D., 2017. "Levelized cost of electricity for solar photovoltaic and electrical energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 191-203.
    20. Wang, Rui & Xiong, Jian & He, Min-fan & Gao, Liang & Wang, Ling, 2020. "Multi-objective optimal design of hybrid renewable energy system under multiple scenarios," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 226-237.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:7:p:1988-:d:529672. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.