Dynamic real-time optimization and control of a hybrid energy system

A proactive energy management strategy for a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system is presented. The study was motivated by the system built in Lambton College (Sarnia, Ontario, Canada) which includes photovoltaic arrays, wind turbine, battery, electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, and fuel cells. The control architecture consists of two levels of hierarchy: (1) an optimal predictive scheduling at the supervisory level; (2) system unit control at the low level. A “day-ahead” approach is followed at the supervisory level and a bidirectional communication between the supervisory, proactive control, and the low level control layer. The proposed energy management strategy accounts for external (i.e. weather and demand) and internal disturbances.