Optimization of Energy Storage in Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic/Biomass/Diesel Generator System Considering Battery Life Time

Population and economic growth have increased the energy demand, making using clean and renewable sources necessary. It is crucial to investigate energy alternatives that include renewable sources such as wind, hydro, solar, biomass, and geothermal. Hybrid systems represent an innovative solution to electricity generation challenges. However, intermittent production from these sources requires efficient storage to ensure a constant supply and balance of energy supply and demand. The manuscript optimizes the sizing of a hybrid system composed of solar panels, biomass generator, and diesel generator in four configurations, each system is studied with a different type of storage, using Lithium, lead acid, Zinc-Air, and (Lithium-Iron Phosphate) batteries applied in an isolated community in northern Ecuador that has a daily consumption of 165.44 kWh, using commercial software for optimization. The results of the work confirm that the batteries play a crucial role in this process, although the charge and discharge cycles can shorten their useful life if they are not properly managed, being the most expensive component of the system. Among the different batteries, lead-acid batteries stand out, which maintain a SOC of 85% per year but require replacement in the short term; zinc-air batteries have the best useful life of approximately 30 years and an autonomy of 116 hours, being the most suitable for hybrid systems, despite disadvantages such as the depletion of 100 kWh/year.