Hybrid PV-Wind based water pumping system optimum sizing: a PSO-LLP-LPSP optimization and cost analysis

This article presents the results of a developed hybrid PV/wind water pumping optimization sizing method, taking into account the strong combination between the intermittent energy resource (solar and wind), the water storage capacity and a given load profile. This optimization method is based on the use of metaheuristic technique. This algorithm, often inspired by nature, is designed to solve complex optimization problems. Among the most used metaheuristic, we used the Particle Swarm optimization algorithm (PSO), considering the Loss of Load Probability (LLP), Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP) criteria and the system cost indicator. The suggested method determines the system optimum configuration, which can achieve the desired LLP and LPSP with minimum cost. To reach this aim, an objective function is formulated for the system cost. It must be kept to a minimum while respecting the reliability constraint. The effectiveness of the PSO in solving a hybrid system optimization problem is scrutinized and its performance is analyzed. To highlight the propounded method performance real case studies have been conducted and the results are discussed.