Hybrid photovoltaic/small-hydropower microgrid in smart distribution network with grid isolated electric vehicle charging system

Abstract

The increasing integration of renewable generation and power system innovations toward smartness have made microgrid a platform through which sources of energy could be annexed for efficient network operation. However, the sources must be carefully selected for a synergy to minimize intermittent challenges for productive output. This paper presents a grid-connected load-following hybrid solar photovoltaic and small-hydro microgrid with a grid isolated electric vehicle charging system. A decentralized multi-agent smart voltage network reactive power compensation dynamically regulates and monitors the network limits based on nodes' local measurements. The solar system supports hydropower during the peak load demand and solar storage is charged up by hydropower when irradiation is at the lowest threshold. The energy balance during excess production is configured for individual electric vehicle charging as load points. The photovoltaic-hydropower/electric vehicle microgrid is incorporated with maximum power point tracking and excitation control respectively as a means of control. The detail performance analysis using a time series evaluation over a 24 h daily simulation period is done on standard IEEE 33 and 118-bus radial distribution networks. Consequently, improved voltage regulation, dynamic energy reserve for electric vehicle’ charging and a better reduction in power loss are ensured in the research work.