Smart Cooperative Energy Supply Strategy to Increase Reliability in Residential Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems

Abstract

In reliability studies of isolated energy supply systems for residential buildings, supply failures due to insufficient generation are generally analysed. Recent studies conclude that this kind of analysis makes it possible to optimally design the sizes of the elements of the generation system. However, in isolated communities or rural areas, it is common to find groups of dwellings in which micro-renewable sources, such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, can be installed. In this situation, the generation and storage of several houses can be considered as an interconnected system forming a cooperative microgrid (CoMG). This work analyses the benefits that sharing two autonomous installations can bring to each one, from the point of view of reliability. The method consists of the application of a random sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) simulation to the CoMG to evaluate the impact of a simple cooperative strategy on the reliability of the set. The study considers random failures in the generation systems. The results show that the reliability of the system increases when cooperation is allowed. Additionally, at the design stage, this allows more cost-effective solutions than single sizing with a similar level of reliability.

Special Issue on Microgrids/Nanogrids Implementation, Planning, and Operation

“…Roldán-Blay et al in [4], analyzed the benefits of sharing two stand-alone facilities from a reliability standpoint. In this context, a random sequential Monte Carlo simulation was applied to a cooperative microgrid to evaluate the impact of a simple cooperative strategy on cluster reliability.…”

Optimising a Biogas and Photovoltaic Hybrid System for Sustainable Power Supply in Rural Areas

“…One of the most relevant renewable energy sources in recent years in Europe has been photovoltaic (PV) [15,16]. This energy source has been used both in energy communities [17,18] and for self-consumption [19,20] and electricity generation [21,22]. However, it has a number of shortcomings, such as a limited or no energy management capacity and it has a strong dependence on weather conditions [23].…”