LAUSR

Microgrid is universally accepted as a new approach to solve the global energy problem. In a microgrid, the optimal sizing of energy storage is necessary to ensure reliability and improve economic efficiency. Its sizing results are impacted by uncertainty on natural resources, energy storage as well as load, and it is hard to coordinate these factors. Therefore, microgrid needs more improved strategies for optimal sizing. In this paper, we present a power source sizing strategy with integrated consideration of characteristics of distributed generations, energy storage and loads. Distributed generations consist of wind turbine, photovoltaic panels, combined heat and power generation (CHP) as well as electric vehicles. A two-layer hybrid energy storage system with three storage types (i.e. super capacitor, li-ion battery, lead-acid battery) is constructed based on their power density, energy density, response speed and lifetime, as well as load classification. Power load differences among different time intervals which are supplied by different types of storage leads to allocation of energy storage. An objective function is established based on life cycle cost (LCC) theory, which includes construction cost, operation maintenance cost, recycling profit, environment cost, and energy shortage compensation. Three scenarios, in which particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used for the optimal sizing, modeling and results calculating. From the simulations results analysis, it is found that the proposed model and strategy are feasible and practical.