Abstract
This research presents a rigorous simulation and performance evaluation of a proposed Wind-Photovoltaic Hybrid Power Plant aimed at optimizing energy output efficiency, focusing on reliability, stability, economic viability, and sustainability. The research introduces a novel hybrid control strategy, termed the PI-P&O technique, which integrates Proportional Integrator (PI) and Perturb and Observe (P&O) Optimization algorithms to enhance Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and reduce rapid, undesirable oscillations in voltage and power within the output load. The hybrid control method, implemented via a DC/DC buck-boost converter, enables seamless integration of wind and photovoltaic energy sources into a unified system supplying a common load, thereby balancing energy distribution and mitigating fluctuations. The proposed Wind-Photovoltaic hybrid Power Plant comprises a 1.5 MW wind turbine and a 219.88 W photovoltaic (PV) array, coupled through a 1.5 MVA inverter operating at a 1,000 Hz pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency applied to a three-level cascaded H-bridge inverter. This configuration allows precise power flow regulation between the wind and PV subsystems. The wind turbine operates optimally across a 6 to 25 m/s wind speed range, benefiting from a 124-meter rotor diameter that enhances energy capture. The PV array achieves maximum efficiency under 200 W/m² to 1,000 W/m² irradiance levels. MATLAB/SIMULINK simulations demonstrate that the PI-P&O technique significantly stabilizes system operation by mitigating rapid voltage and power output fluctuations, optimizing system parameters, and maintaining a balance between power sources and load. A battery bank is integrated as an auxiliary energy storage system to store surplus energy generated during high solar irradiance and compensate for reduced wind power availability, ensuring continuous and stable power output. The buck-boost converter further stabilizes voltage and frequency, addressing distortions that may arise from varying load conditions. The study’s findings indicate that the Wind-Photovoltaic Hybrid Power Plant, guided by the PI-P&O control strategy, effectively meets energy demands under diverse seasonal conditions, resulting in improved power quality, enhanced system stability, and reduced harmonic distortion. The cost-benefit analysis shows favorable indicators: The project shows significant net returns with a robust Net Present Value (NPV) and Return on Investment (ROI), alongside a substantial reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2,102.56 tons annually. This
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research contributes a technically and economically viable model for standalone renewable energy applications, offering a scalable and sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. By optimizing hybrid renewable systems through advanced control techniques, the PI-P&O approach demonstrates potential as an effective solution for enhancing clean energy resilience, supporting the transition towards environmental sustainability, and fostering the global shift to renewable energy.