Optimization of a hybrid electricity system in the Canary Islands including marine renewable energies

Based on the energy transition plans of the Canary Islands archipelago towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient electricity system, this research assesses the optimal configuration of a hybrid stand-alone grid system for the Canary Islands that attains 100% renewable energy penetration, removing fossil fuel reliance and boosting self-sufficiency. The use of offshore renewable energies has been prioritized. Each island microgrid has been designed to combine currently existing inland renewable energy technologies, complemented by a utility-scale battery and different novel forms of offshore renewable energy: namely offshore wind, floating PV, and wave energy. A genetic algorithm is used to solve the optimization problem, which aims to minimize the total cost of electricity generation by the system, while being subject to reliability and spatial constraints such as the Loss of Power Supply Probability and the maximum available marine space for the exploitation of offshore marine energy. Furthermore, the annual operation of the optimum system for each scenario is simulated and the power generation and cost benefits of each component have been analysed.