Optimization in Renewable Energy Systems

Recent Perspectives

Ozan Erdinc

• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9780081012093
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Power Resources
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Optimization in Renewable Energy Systems: Recent Perspectives covers all major areas where optimization techniques have been applied to reduce uncertainty or improve results in renewable energy systems (RES).

Production of power with RES is highly variable and unpredictable, leading to the need for optimization-based planning and operation in order to maximize economies while sustaining performance.

This self-contained book begins with an introduction to optimization, then covers a wide range of applications in both large and small scale operations, including optimum operation of electric power systems with large penetration of RES, power forecasting, transmission system planning, and DG sizing and siting for distribution and end-user premises.

This book is an excellent choice for energy engineers, researchers, system operators, system regulators, and graduate students.

• Provides chapters written by experts in the field
• Goes beyond forecasting to apply optimization techniques to a wide variety of renewable energy system issues, from large scale to relatively small scale systems
• Provides accompanying computer code for related chapters

Chapter 1

Introduction to Renewable Energy Systems

Sérgio F. Santos¹, Desta Z. Fitiwi¹, Miadreza Shafie-khah², Abebe W. Bizuayehu¹ and João P.S. Catalão^1,3,4, ¹C-MAST, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal, ²DII, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy, ³INESC-ID, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal, ⁴INESC TEC and Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Abstract

This chapter aims to provide an overview of renewable energy systems (RESs) and the underlying issues related to the RES theme such as climate change and its mitigation. The types of RESs are also briefly discussed focusing on their characteristics and technological aspects. This is followed by the most important economic aspects as well as the challenges and opportunities of integrating RESs in power systems. This chapter also discusses the need for optimization tools adequately equipped to effectively capture the intrinsic characteristics of RESs and facilitate their optimal integration in power systems. All this leads to an efficient exploitation of their wide-range benefits while sufficiently minimizing their negative impacts. Finally, the chapter is summarized with some concluding remarks.

Keywords

Renewable energy sources; clime change; large scale integration of RES; renewable energy trend; RES integration opportunities; Operational flexibility

1.1 An Overview of Renewable Energy Systems

All societies need energy services to satisfy their needs (such as cooking, lighting, heating, communications, etc.) and to support productive services. In order to secure sustainable development, the delivery of energy services needs to be safe and cause low environmental impacts [1–3]. Social sustainability and economic development require security and easy access to energy resources, which are indispensable to promote sustainable energy and essential services. This means applying different strategies at different levels to revamp economic development. To be environmentally benign, energy services should provoke low environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

According to the study in Ref. [4], fossil fuels are still the main primary energy sources. A major revolution is required in how energy is produced and used in order to preserve a sustainable economy capable of providing the required public services (both in the developed and developing countries), and laying effective support mechanisms to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts [5].

A major concern in both the developed and developing countries, including emerging economies, is that without having abundant and accessible energy sources, it is not possible to maintain the current paradigm in the medium and long term, from an economic point of view. In accordance with the International Energy Agency (IEA) reference scenario, the primary global energy consumption will grow between 40% and 50% until 2030, at an annual average rate of 1.6%. Without a major paradigm shift in energy policies throughout the world, fossil fuels are still expected to cover about 83% of the increase in demand [4].

The reasons for this strong growth are essentially two: The continuous increase in world population and the economic convergence between the developed and developing countries, especially with emerging economies such as India and China that are leading the economic recovery from the recent global economic crisis, and becoming the major consumers of nonrenewable energy sources. This change must be answered with structural measures, such as by putting a real monetary value to energy. Some of the promising solutions are accelerating renewable energy integration, promoting energy efficiency, and supporting transport systems modernization. This can be achieved by promoting more transparent markets to flourish and creating an enabling environment for competition in all sectors of the economy and energy production [6].

The sustainability of energy systems is now an important factor for socioeconomic development. Sustainability depends on three major components (as schematically demonstrated in Fig. 1.1): (1) The security of access to energy, (2) the accessibility of services, and (3) environmental compatibility.

Figure 1.1 Sustainability in the electricity sector. Adapted from Ref. [23].

Changing the energy scenario presents itself as a huge challenge whose solution ultimately depends on the political will of governing bodies to make the necessary investments on a global scale. In the medium and long-term horizon, investment decisions will affect the cost and the environmental impacts of infrastructures. Most likely, the energy supply will be the main factor of possible models for future development at global, regional, and national levels.

1.1.1 Climate Change

GHG emissions associated with energy services are the major causes of climate change. The report in Ref. [4] indicates, “most of the observed increase in global average temperature since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations”. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations have grown continuously to about 390 ppm of CO₂ in 2010, a 39% increase since preindustrial levels [7]. The global average temperature increased by 0.76°C (from ...