Sizing a PV/battery/ORC isolated hybrid microgrid using particle swarm optimization: A case study in Brazil

This paper presents the optimal sizing of a microgrid that combines hybrid photovoltaic and Organic Rankine Cycle systems, along with either lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. The optimization, employing the Particle Swarm Optimization technique, aims to minimize the levelized cost of energy consumed by Matias Cardoso town, located in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, while maintaining a loss of power supply probability below 1%. The paper presents technical and economic models for all microgrid components. It also details the particle swarm optimization parameter settings and analyzes the impact of population size variations optimization algorithm’s performance. The base case optimal sizing points to a microgrid with a levelized cost of energy of 0.5319 R$/kWh using lithium-ion batteries. Lead-acid batteries were outperformed economically by the lithium-ion ones, due to their longer lifespan. Results also indicate that the microgrid’s economic performance greatly depends on the considered discount rate.