A LabVIEW Model For the Operation and Control Strategy of a Hybrid System

Due to the varying nature of the load demand and the fluctuating powersupplies by a renewable energy system, a decision-making strategy to operateand control a hybrid system is considered. The proposed hybrid system iscomprised of PV/wind and diesel units with battery backup. The aim is toensure high operational battery bank, running diesel units in their most efficientoperational ranges and maximizing the utilization of the renewable energysources. A LabVIEW model is designed whereby the hybrid systemcomponents are simulated as virtual instruments [VI] interacted with functionalblocks. The PV/wind VI measure continuously the available power generatedfrom the designed system capacity, and the functional VI compare this with theactual load demand over short periods. Consequently, a decision-makingscheme is considered in which optimum operation of diesel units and batterybanks is reached, and also whereby scenarios can be drawn for furtherprediction of system power flows and State-of Charge [SOC] of the batterybank.