Multi-objective capacity configuration optimization of a grid-connected SOFC/LB microgrid

The solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technique with electric to gas technique is an investment-worthy way to enhance the consumption of renewable energy in microgrids. Moreover, SOFC’s high fuel adaptability and efficient cogeneration are ideal for stationary power generation. However, due to SOFC’s slow load response and high cost, the capacity configuration designation of microgrid with SOFC system is significant. To enhance energy utilization and reduce cost, in this paper, a microgrid connected with an upper grid, containing SOFC, wind turbine (WT), photovoltaics (PV), electrolyzer, a hydrogen storage system (HSS), and lithium battery (LB), is built. Considering the dynamic characteristics of SOFC’s load response, transient and steady-stage’s energy management strategies assisted by LB are proposed. Capacity configuration parameters of microgrid’s components are selected as decision variables and minimal life cycle cost (LCC) and minimal curtailment rate of wind and PV are selected as objective functions. Using proposed strategies to process microgrids, the NSGA-II algorithm is used to optimize. An actual case is studied and appropriate capacity configuration is solved, with 2112 120W PVs,315 500W WTs, 5 10kW • h LBs,5 SOFCs,98.73kW electrolyzer and 38.94kg HSS.LCC reaches $4.268 × 10
⁵
and wind &PV’s curtailment rate reaches 5.71%. The result’s rationality is proved by analyzing the detailed cost and operation.