Optimal sizing design and energy management of stand-alone photovoltaic/wind generator systems

Presently, the photovoltaic (PV) and the wind energies are the most important energetic alternative resources. So far, a lot of researches are developed and conducted concerning the cost-optimally design and energy management for the stand-alone hybrid PV-wind generator (WG) systems. In this study, a methodology for optimal sizing design and strategy control based on differential flatness approach is applied to the hybrid stand-alone PV-WG systems. The purpose is to find the optimal number of units ensuring that the 20 years round total system cost is minimized subject to the constraint that the load energy requirements are completely covered. The optimization methodology, using the genetic algorithm and the formulation of the problem are detailed. Finally, an optimal configuration is obtained with a lifetime of 20 years; also the results of the control algorithm based on the flatness properties obtained under Matlab/Simulink are given. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd.