Optimal sizing of hybrid generators for autonomous operation of a micro-grid

As a matter of fact, there is an ever increasing need for augmenting renewable resources to the existing power system in order to meet its increasing demand. These resources are generally connected to the distribution network, thereby alleviating the stress on the network and also providing the necessary reliability. A distribution network with renewable and fossil-based resources is a micro-grid. Such a micro-grid may be operated either in Autonomous (isolated from the utility grid) or Non-Autonomous (connected to the grid) mode of operation. This paper attempts to develop an algorithm to determine the sizes of the renewable resources for autonomous operation of the micro-grid using Particle Swarm Optimization and Modified Genetic Algorithm based optimization techniques. MATLAB code has been developed and sizing of generators for a standard 33 bus distribution system has been presented to demonstrate the utility of the methodology.