Multi-Objective Optimisation Analysis for Off-Grid, On-Site Power Generation Comparing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems and Gas-to-Power Systems In Upstream Applications

As the oil and gas industry increases its focus on sustainability, including greenhouse gases emissions reductions and carbon footprint management, it is relevant to analyze optimal solutions integrating different renewable, green and hydrogen technologies into hybrid renewable energy systems and compare them with well gas-to-power approaches for off-grid, on-site power generation in upstream applications. This paper goes through a desk review of different types of upstream facilities and an overview of potential power requirements to consider for off-grid electrification. Then, different technologies used for off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems are introduced and compared in terms of potential uses and integration requirements. Furthermore, emission targets are presented along with potential economical constraints. With those aspects introduced, system sizing and assumptions are modeled, simulated and optimized. The different modeled cases, including integrated renewable energy systems and power-to-gas systems, are presented in terms of suitability in application to the facilities under consideration. For such cases, simulation results are presented in quantitative terms of equivalent optimized value for the multiple competing objectives in the study, in terms of sustainability targets and economics. Sensitivity analysis are also presented showing main parameters of influence on the optimal energy scheme approach. This paper provides a qualitative and quantitative analytical optimization approach evaluating multiple competing objectives in terms of green, renewable, hydrogen and gas-to-power technologies, economics and carbon footprint management for consideration in facilities power systems schemes.

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems’ Optimisation. A Review and Extended Comparison of the Most-Used Software Tools

To help stakeholders plan, research, and develop Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES), the elaboration of numerous modelling techniques and software simulation tools has been reported. The thorough analysis of these undoubtedly complex systems is strongly correlated with the efficient utilisation of the potential of renewable energy and the meticulous development of pertinent designs. In this context, various optimisation constraints/targets have also been utilised. This specific work initially carries out a thorough review of the modelling techniques and simulation software developed in an attempt to define a commonly accepted categorisation methodology for the various existing HRES simulation methods. Moreover, the widely utilised optimisation targets are analysed in detail. Finally, it identifies the sensitivity of two commercial software tools (HOMER Pro and iHOGA) by examining nine case studies based on different wind and solar potential combinations. The results obtained by the two commercial tools are compared with the ESA Microgrid Simulator, a software developed by the Soft Energy Applications and Environmental Protection Laboratory of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of West Attica. The evaluation of the results, based on the diversification of the renewable energy potential used as input, has led to an in-depth assessment of the deviances detected in the software tools selected.