Optimal Operation of a Hybrid Power System as an Island Microgrid in South-Korea

Abstract

The microgrid is a power distribution system that supplies power from distributed generation to end-users. Demonstration projects and R&D regarding microgrids are currently in development in several advanced countries. In South Korea, renewable energy-based microgrid demonstration projects are carried out mainly as island or university campus grids. These R&D efforts aim to popularize microgrid systems in South Korea while considering the limited land availability, which impedes the widespread distribution of photovoltaic systems and the microgrid market’s growth. This study presents a floating photovoltaic system configured as an island microgrid combined with a hybrid power system. The floating photovoltaic system is configured on an idle water body integrated with an existing pumped hydroelectric system. The integration of a current pumped hydroelectric system minimizes a battery energy storage requirement, which compensates for the renewable energy sources’ intermittent power output. We evaluate the optimal power flow of the setup using a reliability index to ensure a stable power supply within the standalone microgrid and maximize the supply power range according to the demand response.