Optimisation sizing of hybrid wind-diesel systems using linear programming technique

Despite the great potential of hybrid wind-diesel systems in supplying energy to remote or island communities, sizing the system components has been a challenging problem for many project managers due to the reliance on various factors. This work considers utilising a fixed-speed wind turbine (induction generator) in the hybrid system. It requires energy for start-up operation and this work takes into account the battery storage for sizing. In addition, the trade-off between the number of batteries and the diesel generator fuel usage in a system is studied. Linear programming for optimal sizing of the batteries needed in a hybrid wind-diesel system, in the context of minimum diesel fuel usage, is reported. Finally, this presentation also shows that the storage capacity required in a hybrid system for various wind and load conditions can be computed in a systematic manner.