Compound microgrid installation operation planning of a PEFC and photovoltaics with prediction of electricity production using GA and numerical weather information

A fuel cell microgrid with photovoltaics effectively reduces greenhouse gas emission. A system operation optimization technique with photovoltaics and unstable power is important. In this paper, the optimal operation algorithm of this compound microgrid is developed using numerical weather information (NWI) that is freely available. A GA (genetic algorithm) was developed to minimize system fuel consumption. Furthermore, the relation between the NWI error characteristics and the operation results of the system was clarified. As a result, the optimized operation algorithm using NWI reduced the energy cost of the system.