Multiobjective optimization of a photovoltaic system generation with hydraulic storage in remote areas

The deficit of electricity and high conventional electricity costs still among the major drawbacks for supply remote areas. Electrifying these zones with photovoltaic (PV) systems associated to a hydraulic storage is a promising alternative. The main objective of this study is to optimally size this system generation interacting with irradiations and load cycles, especially for a standalone application. The first part of this article outlines the PV-hydraulic generation system architecture and modeling. The optimal sizing of the system components satisfying two criteria by means of evolutionary algorithms is described in the second part of this article. The results are finally discussed from the point of view of the relevance of the system sizing and in terms of criteria satisfaction by analyzing two particular optimal configurations. (c) 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13095, 2019