Optimisation of renewable energy systems

Renewable energy systems are still much more expensive than traditional grid connected power, except in remote areas. Thus it is important that designs be optimised to achieve the least delivered energy cost over a lifetime of 20 years or so. This paper shows that to achieve grid level of reliability with wind solar and storage units alone is impossibly expensive so practical designs have always incorporated standby generation of some sort or other. This paper describes a simulation technique that enables a cost minimal, balanced system design.