This study analyzes the impact of thermal and electrical storage solutions coupled with Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants, proposing an innovative model to test a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS). The work presents an innovative Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model to determine the optimal configuration and operational strategy of a HESS within a grid-connected Microgrid (MG). The research focuses on the synergistic integration of PV with Lithium-ion Electrical Energy Storage (EES) and CSP with Thermal Energy Storage (TES). The MG includes dynamic residential, commercial, and hospital loads. The MILP model is optimized over a 24 h horizon across four season-representative days, utilizing a multi-criteria objective function that balances economic performance and CO2 emissions via a weighting factor ω ∈ 0,1. Three distinct CSP options such as Parabolic Trough Collectors with varying Heat Transfer Fluids (molten salt or thermal oil) and TES types (direct and indirect dual-tank, or Phase Change Material) are analyzed, each coupled with a Rankine or Organic Rankine Cycle. Key constraints address energy balances, component efficiencies, power limits, and storage dynamics. The comprehensive results identify the most suitable technology portfolio mix and optimal hour-by-hour operational rules, providing transparent decision-making criteria based on storage size, process temperatures, and specific demand profiles.
Ferruzzi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.