Application of Satin Bowerbird Algorithm for Optimal Sizing of a Solar-Biomass based Microgrid

The steep increase in electrical energy demand and growing environmental concerns have led to the exploration of alternative energy technologies. Solar and biomass generators have emerged as a feasible option for off-grid rural applications. This paper presents the optimal sizing of a solar and biomass generators based standalone micro-grid (SMG). The variability affiliated with solar generation makes it essential to integrate a firm source of generation such as biomass with it. In order to obtain optimum component size, a modern metaheuristic called as Satin Bowerbird algorithm has been deployed. The simulation results of this algorithm offers higher quality solution and takes lesser convergence time as compared to the conventional algorithms. Reliability and economic parameters have been duly accounted for in the sizing of SMG. The results have been obtained for a case study conducted for Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Further, sensitivity analyses have also been performed to assess the impact of component sizing on performance of SMG.