Power generation systems (PGSs) based on hybrid renewable energy are one of the promising solutions for future distributed generation systems. Among different configurations, hybrid photovoltaic-wind turbine (PV-WT) grid connected PGSs are the most adopted for their good performance. However, due to the complexity of the system, the optimal balance between these two energy sources requires particular attention to achieve a good engineering solution. This paper deals with the optimal sizing of PV-WT by adopting different multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) optimization approaches. Sensitivity of MCDA algorithms has been analyzed, by considering different weighting criteria techniques with different fluctuation scenarios of wind speed and solar radiation profiles, thus highlighting advantages and drawbacks of the proposed optimal sizing approaches. The following study could be assumed as a powerful roadmap for decision makers, analysts, and policy makers.
Time domain performance analysis results of a standalone hybrid system are presented based on commercial wind generator, photovoltaic generator and battery energy storage system. The hybrid system is designed and modelled using Matlab/Simulink/SimPowSys™ environment, a control strategy has been proposed to control the voltage DC bus and the energy flow between the different energy sources. The wind and photovoltaic generators are controlled locally to obtain the maximum power extraction, while battery energy storage system is controlled using specific control strategy depending on the voltage of the DC bus and energy flow. To test the performance of the system three different cases were analyzed; one case is the examination of the system performance when the photovoltaic generator is excluded from the system, the second case excludes wind energy generator while the third case includes all the sources. Each case contains various operating conditions and disturbances of load and weather data. The frequency deviation, stability of DC bus voltage and voltage total harmonic distribution are taken as system performance indexes. The simulation results ensure the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid system control strategy in following up the variations in load demand and weather data, providing the ground for practical realization.