Zaragoza: Method for optimising renewable energy generation systems

Research lead

Engineers from the University of Zaragoza have developed an algorithm that can optimise hybrid electricity generation systems, which use a combination of renewable energy, such as photovoltaic and wind power, with non-renewables, such as diesel.

“The objective of this project is to minimise both the costs and polluting emissions generated by energy production within isolated systems that are not connected to an electricity grid, and reduce energy shortfalls” said Rodolfo Dufo, a researcher at the Higher Polytechnic Centre of the University of Zaragoza.

The engineers looked at isolated installations, which are provided with electric energy from photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines and diesel generators, which use electrochemical batteries or hydrogen for storage. “The optimisation of all these systems is a very complex process, and classic optimisation techniques are not usually appropriate in these cases, because of the high level computing required,” said Dufo.

The algorithm provides an optimum range of solutions from which the designer can choose the most appropriate, depending on budget, acceptable levels of polluting emissions, and the level of shortfalls.

The method has been used to start testing a new design of isolated energy system using exclusively renewable sources (photovoltaic, wind, hydrogen and batteries), based at the Foundation for the Development of New Hydrogen Technologies facilities in the Walqa Technology Park in Huesca, Aragon.

“Given the current energy crisis and the threat of climate change, isolated electrical network systems such as this are going to become ever more important, since they can simultaneously optimise costs, pollutant emissions and electricity shortfalls,” said Dufo.