Optimisation of stand-alone hybrid energy systems supplemented by combustion-based prime movers

The results of this study indicate that PV/Batt and PV/Batt/ICE systems have comparable COEs but are preferable to PV/Batt/MGT. The minimum starting thresholds of supplementary devices (ICE or MGT) have significant effects on renewable energy penetration, genset running hours, waste heat generation, and Life Cycle Emission (LCE, kg CO2-eq/yr), but insignificant effects on the COE. The results also show that the transient start-up of supplementary devices has a negligible influence on overall system sizing. The COE resulting from the use of larger capacity prime movers (60 kW ICE or 65 kW MGT) is comparable to deploying two smaller capacity prime movers (30 kW) but results in higher renewable energy penetration, an improved duty factor with lower LCEs. Additionally, the COE increases slightly (2 ∼ 5%) when the models run at 15 min temporal resolution compared to 60 min.