Optimization of a Hybrid Photovoltaic System with Gas Engine to Supply Electricity and Heat

Numerous factors, such as the expansion of the growing demand for energy, depletion of fossil resources, environmental disasters caused by fossil fuels, global warming of the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, and the need to balance the emission of polluting gases, have prompted a new scientific approach to natural renewable energies. However, large-scale electricity production and transfer to consumers are accompanied by significant losses. The purpose of this study was to design and optimize the use of a hybrid photovoltaic system and a gasoline-powered engine to generate electricity and heat. In this study, the design and operation of a hybrid photovoltaic system and a gas engine as a combined heat and power source were explored using the following three thermal loads, following electric load methods, and the GAMS-optimized simultaneous optimization model. With a description of the revenues, costs, and limitations of the problem, these optimizations were performed to reduce the net pure cost and determine the rate of return on investment, and the following results were obtained. This investigation was conducted to find ways to reduce operational costs. The amount of electricity produced by the following thermal load and optimal methods is greater than the amount of electricity consumed during the majority of hours in a day. This indicates that the system has made the decision to sell electrical energy to the network to reduce the costs associated with operating the system. When compared to the following thermal load method, the simultaneous optimal method for operation results in an approximately 15% reduction in the costs associated with operation.