Optimal sizing of photovoltaic pumping system with water tank storage using LPSP concept

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 85; no. 2; pp. 288 - 294
• Main Authors: Bakelli, Yahia, Hadj Arab, Amar, Azoui, Boubekeur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2011; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Case management; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Energy; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; Life cycle cost (LCC); Loss of power supply probability (LPSP); Motor-pump model; Natural energy; Optimization; Photoelectric conversion; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Power electronics, power supplies; Pumps; PV water pumping system sizing; Remote areas; Solar energy; Testing. Reliability. Quality control; Algeria; Africa; Ghardaia Algeria; Remote areas; Motor-pump model; Life cycle cost (LCC); Loss of power supply probability (LPSP); PV water pumping system sizing; Drinking water; Village; Photovoltaic system; Pumping station; Power supply; Power electronics; Water pumps; System reliability; Optimization; Dimensioning; Case study; Water tank; Life cycle cost; Photovoltaic array; Water consumption; Economic aspect; Electric motor; Peak power
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2010.11.023

This paper recommends an optimal sizing model, to optimize the capacity sizes of different components of photovoltaic water pumping system (PWPS) using water tank storage. The recommended model takes into account the submodels of the pumping system and uses two optimization criteria, the loss of power supply probability (LPSP) concept for the reliability and the life cycle cost (LCC) for the economic evaluation. With this presented model, the sizing optimization of photovoltaic pumping system can be achieved technically and economically according to the system reliability requirements. The methodology adopted proposes various procedures based on the water consumption profiles, total head, tank capacity and photovoltaic array peak power. A case study is conducted to analyze one photovoltaic pumping project, which is designed to supply drinking water in remote and scattered small villages situated in Ghardaia, Algeria (32°29′N, 3°40′E, 450 m).