Energy Control Strategy Analysis of Hybrid Power Generation System for Rural Saharan Community in Algeria

The paper deals with design and sizing of hybrid PV/diesel/battery energy system using two energy management strategies: load following (LF) and cycle charging strategy (CC). The hybrid system is designed to electrify 25 households, primary school, and small dispensary in the Saharan and rural village of Moulay Lahcen, in the province of Tamanrassat, Algeria. A comparative analysis has been elaborated using HOMER in terms of cost of energy (COE), net present cost (NPC), renewable fraction (RF), fuel consumption, battery autonomy and GHG emissions (mainly carbon emissions) between the two control strategies. The results showed that cycle charging strategy is more cost effective compared to load following in both households and school, in the case of dispensary the load following is more cost effective than the cycle charging strategy. The LF strategy has less GHG emissions and more PV penetration than CC strategy in all cases.