Strategies of Maximizing the Benefits of Storage and Diesel Generator for Standalone Microgrid

Abstract

This paper proposed methods of maximizing the benefits of storage and diesel generator connected to a standalone microgrid. The analysis is based on the effects of site and size factors on the number of times diesel generator starts. Markov technique has been used for the analysis of the output powers of the WECS and SECS. The proposed method has been tested by increasing the rated power of the WECS and SECS by 25, 50, 75 and 100 %. The results have shown a decreased in the number of times a diesel generator starts by 2, 7, 9 and 9 % for WECS. Similarly, SECS decreased same by 4, 8, 11, and 13 %. Also, study of wind generator parameter at different cut-in-speeds levels, including 2, 2.5, 3.5 and 4 m/s reduced the number of times a diesel generator start by 122, 147, 116 and 134. In addition, the influences of storage and weather on the availability of system have also been investigated using Variable Boolean Logic Driven Markov process. In this case, the results have shown adding storage system; increased the microgrid availability by 0.058. In the same way, neglecting weather factor overestimate the system availability by 0.0104. Also, increasing the rated power of the WECS is the best way of maximizing the BCR of the system.