Reliability index based optimal sizing and statistical performance analysis of stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system using metaheuristic algorithms

Integration of renewable energy systems can provide reliable, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives for meeting the demand for electricity in remote locations. In this study, recently developed meta-heuristic techniques are explored to find the optimal design for two combinations of off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems. To evaluate the performance, the Tasmanian devil Optimization (TDO) was compared to three meta-heuristic algorithms, called the COOT bird optimization algorithm (COOT), the Grey wolf algorithm (GWO), and the Beluga whale optimization (BWO), and determined the optimal design of the proposed off-grid energy system in terms of best and worst-case solutions. The system consisting of a solar-battery is more cost-effective, with the lowest total annual cost (TAC) of 36, 859 and the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0. 0930 /kWh for 0% LPSPmax level as compared to the wind turbine-battery-diesel generator with the highest TAC (102580) and LCOE (0. 2589 /kWh). Hence, a solar-battery hybrid system is more viable for producing clean energy with effective storage and better power system reliability enhancement. Also, the obtained simulation results reveal the supremacy of the TDO compared to the other three meta-heuristic algorithms, where it achieved the optimal solution with a quick convergence time and fewer oscillations.