Hybrid energy systems are systems that combine two or more sources of energy, such as solar and wind power, to generate electricity. Research on hybrid energy systems aims to improve the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of these systems. This research can include the development of new technologies, such as advanced storage systems, and the optimization of existing technologies, such as wind turbines and solar panels. Additionally, research on hybrid energy systems can also include the study of the integration of different energy sources into the grid, and the development of control systems to manage the flow of energy between different sources. Overall, the goal of research on hybrid energy systems is to provide a sustainable and reliable source of electricity for communities and industries.@[email protected]

Future trends for the design and operation of the hybrid energy system

According to Pragya Nema, R.K. Nema, and Saroj Rangnekar in their paper entitled "A current and future state of the art development of hybrid energy system using wind: A review," one of the most promising applications of renewable energy technology is the installation of hybrid energy systems in remote areas, where the grid extension is costly, and the cost of fuel increases drastically with the remoteness of the location.

This system can be considered a sustainable hybrid energy system designed in two modes. One is standalone, and the other is in grid-assisted mode. It draws power from the wind–solar hybrid energy system in standalone mode. In the grid-assisted mode, when the hybrid system is unable to feed the power, it automatically takes the grid power. If the site-specific data is unavailable, one may use the nearest meteorological station data to design the system. The system voltage variation, frequency, waveform, and power factor at the time of grid connection must be maintained within limits. One can improve the power quality depending on the local conditions. Hybrid energy flow is controlled using power electronic converters. This energy would be useful in many applications such as ship power systems, electric hybrid vehicles, telecommunication industries, rural electrification, etc.

The cost of conventional energy resources is increasing every year. Further R&D improvements in solar PV and wind technologies will reduce the cost of renewable energy sources. This system is going to be economical in the future. Besides the cost, the environmental benefits are likely to facilitate these systems' widespread use and acceptance.

The inclusion of artificial intelligence as part of the energy management system shortly promises to optimize the operation of hybrid energy. The performance of modular hybrid energy systems can be improved through the implementation of advanced control methods in a centralized system controller. Optimum resource allocation, based on load demand and renewable resource forecast, promises to significantly reduce the system's total operating cost. The application of modern control techniques to supervise the operation of modular hybrid energy systems allows the utilization of renewable resources to be optimized. Advanced control techniques will also improve the performance of such systems by improving energy management.

Hybrid energy systems are recognized as a viable alternative to grid supply or conventional, fuel-based, remote-area power supplies worldwide. The literature review reveals that renewable energy-based low-emission hybrid systems are not cost-competitive against conventional fossil fuel power systems. However, the need for cleaner power and improvements in alternative energy technologies bear good potential for the widespread use of such systems. Moreover, rural households in industrialized and less developed countries attach high value to a reliable, limited electricity supply. Community facilities such as rural hospitals, schools, telecommunication, and water pumping stations can contribute significantly to the welfare of people and rural development. While it is recognized that technology can only be one aspect of community development, renewable energy systems have demonstrated the potential to support some of the basic infrastructure needs in remote and urban areas for different applications.

Although the cost reduction and technological development of hybrid energy systems in recent years have been encouraging, they remain an expensive power source. The cost of conventional energy resources is increasing every year, but the receding trend in the cost of renewable energy technologies because of their widespread use is an encouraging factor, projecting the RES system as an economical means of power generation in the future for many standalone applications. To allow the widespread application of this emerging technology, there is a need for further R&D improvements in solar PV and wind technologies that can reduce the cost of the hybrid system.

This may finally be concluded that the hybrid energy system combining variable speed wind turbine and PV array generating system may be integrated to supply continuous power to the load with optimal design of the hybrid controller. The hybrid controller manages the power flow between the components of the system such that the energy cost is minimum and load requirements can be met around the year.

My colleagues and I have designed many such systems over the years. We completed final design of a solar tri-generation system for DOE and Phelps Dodge in 1982 that was based on combining three technology classes: A power tower (solar thermal central receiver using air as the working fluid with gas turbines), a steam-based Rankine bottoming cycle, and a thermal storage system that produced both air at 800 F and at any temperature under that above ambient for drying foods (onions, garlic, etc.)

That work was done at Gibbs&Hill, Inc. The July, 1982 issue of Mechanical Engineering magazine (it was the feature cover article) has details of that same configuration used to run a copper smelter that also replaces oil and coal in Hidalgo, NM. There were 15 patents that were applied for in that effort, now public domain. It was also covered by AIChE in an article written by Amy Gillespie and I that year, which uses the Outokumpu Oy Process from Finland to perform solar-assisted flash smelting.

I agree wholeheartedly that hybrid systems always provide opportunities to enhance efficiency and enable economy of scale. Our research at NASA, MITRE, Gibbs & Hill, DoD, and the private sector at Boeing proved that time and again for decades.