Modelling and optimization of combined heat and power system in microgrid based on renewable energy

A microgrid, which produces energy from microturbines, fuel cells, wind turbines, PV arrays and internal combustion engines, is modelled. Optimization is carried out using the imperialist competitive algorithm to minimize production costs and provide maximum thermal and electrical loads. Due to the short distance between the sources of production and consumption, microgrids (MGs) have received considerable attention because these systems involve fewer losses and waste less energy. And another advantage of MGs is that renewable energy sources can be widely used because these resources are not fully available and can provide a part of the required power. The purpose of this research is to model the MG considering the production sources of microturbines, gas turbines and internal combustion engines. Renewable energies such as wind turbines (WTs) and photovoltaic (PV) cells have been used to provide part of the required power and, because of the lack of access to renewable energy sources at all times, energy reserves such as batteries and fuel cells (FCs) have been considered. The power of the microturbine, gas turbine, internal combustion engine, FC and battery in this system is 162, 150, 90, 100 and 225 kW, respectively. After modelling the studied system, optimization was done using the imperialist competitive algorithm to minimize production costs and provide maximum thermal and electrical loads. The maximum production power for PVs is equal to 0.6860 MWh and at this time this value for WTs is equal to 0.3812 MWh, in which case the excess electricity produced will be sold to the grid.