A new method for optimising the operation of remote area power supply (RAPS) systems

Stand-alone power systems, also known as Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS) systems,are increasingly being used as an alternative to the extension of reticulated electricitysupply in many areas of the world. State-of-the-art Hybrid RAPS systems consisting ofone or more diesel/petrol engine generators, photovoltaic generation, battery storage andassociated power conditioning equipment, are considered in this thesis. Typicalapplications of Hybrid RAPS systems include the supply of electricity to isolatedcommunities or homesteads, and power for remote telecommunications sites.This thesis describes a new method for optimising the operation of Hybrid RAPSsystems.Previous approaches to the RAPS operation optimisation problem are described. Anexisting mathematical optimisation method, based on linear programming and dynamicprogramming techniques, is selected and modified to allow incorporation of dieselgenerator on/off state and diesel generator start-up costs.The new optimisation method is applied to a Hybrid RAPS model for a deterministicfuture, and implemented on a computer. It is compared to a discrete dynamic programmingmethod, previously representing the best approach to the RAPS operation optimisationproblem, and shown to provide superior performance characteristics, in particular giving afaster solution time and higher solution accuracy.Example RAPS control actions produced by the new optimisation method are presentedand discussed.The optimisation method is compared to a conventional RAPS control algorithm,implemented in a RAPS simulation program. The comparison has identified that the newmethod has a potential to reduce system operating costs.At present, the new method is most effectively used as a benchmark for other RAPScontrol algorithms. It could be extended to model the stochastic nature of future loaddemand and photovoltaic power, which would increase its practical value