Table 1 Comparison of the grid-connected renewable energy system studies reviewed in this paper

Pan and Dinter [5]

South Africa

2017

CSP and PV capability demonstration with the aid of a System Advisor Model (SAM). Different configurations with different storage sizes were modeled and the performances were monitored. Combined PV/CSP was seen to be more appropriate and can substitute the conventional coal-fired power plant with many benefits associated.

Gbalimene et al. [6]

Abuja, Nigeria

2016

Techno-economic evaluations of PV/wind hybrid systems using the HOMER tool. Grid-only power has been observed to be more economical as the hybrid system with the highest renewable fraction considered more appropriate owing to the advantages it offers.

Numbi and Malinga [7]

eThekwini, South Africa

2017

Economic analysis of PV system integration for the grid using an optimal control model. Strong policies were linked with sensitivity evaluations regarding the Feed-in Tariff. The authors have observed that the higher the grid energy cost savings, the lower the system payback period and also the lower the need for battery bank storage will be (when neglecting the effect of a grid failure).

Nadjemi et al. [8]

Ghardaia, Algeria

2016

Optimal sizing of a grid-connected hybrid PV/wind/battery system using a cuckoo search algorithm (CSA). Comparison has been done with the particle-swarm sizing optimization (PSO) technique. The authors observed a better accuracy and less computational time for the case of the CSA.

Boussetta et al. [9]

Morocco

2016

Grid-connected optimal sizing of a hybrid PV/wind/diesel system with battery storage coupled with sensitivity analysis using the HOMER tool. A particular hybrid configuration in the optimization was considered as more feasible.

Madhlopa et al. [10]

Stellenbosch, South Africa

2015

Optimization of grid-connected PV/wind system under limited water resource conditions using a MatLab program with adequate sensitivity measures (water-energy nexus concern). The authors have observed that the PV technology requires more water than wind technology in the system execution.

Silinga et al. [11]

South Africa

2014

Spatial-temporal analysis (STA) applied for the implication of the proposed hybrid CSP peaking system. Optimization and comparison between fixed tariff and 2-tier tariff system was performed. The authors observed the CSP peaking system to be feasible using the 2-tier system based on a part load operation with storage (policy-linkage concern).

Kazem and Khatib [12]

Sohar, Oman

2013

Techno-economic assessment of a grid-integrated photovoltaic system using MatLab. Different technical and economic parameters have been analyzed and the system has proved to be promising at the site.

Gonzalez et al. [13]

Central Catalonia, Spain

2015

Optimal sizing of a hybrid grid-connected PV/wind/biomass power system. A life cycle costing optimization approach using MatLab was employed with adequate techno-economic sensitivity. The optimized configuration has been concluded to be of tremendous benefits regarding economic and environmental concerns.

Salahi et al. [14]

Bishesh Village, Iran

2016

Optimal design of a grid-connected system using PV/wind/battery and a diesel/battery system with comparison to off-grid configurations using the HOMER tool. The benefits of the transition have been clearly observed.

Dali et al. [15]

N/A

2010

Experimental study regarding managing the hybrid PV/wind system with the aid of emulators, space controller, complex inverter using a double operation mode, and so on. Operational capability and effectiveness have been confirmed for both the grid-connected mode and the standalone mode.

Nurunnabi and Roy [16]

Bangladesh

2015

A grid-connected hybrid PV/wind/battery system design with the aid of a HOMER tool has been used. Comparative analysis has been done with same configuration as in the off-grid system. The overall benefits have been observed in terms of economics and so on.

Authors

Study location

Published year

Main content (research approach and tools applied)

Jumare et al.

Zaria, Nigeria

N/A

Detailed system modeling, optimization, and demand side energy efficiency assessment has been carried out. An assessment of the economic benefits of energy system transitioning, including the impact of life cycle emissions on energy transitioning, as well as reliability arguments have brought forth with respect to the utility grid case and the overall policy implications. The tools employed have been the HOMER, Microsoft Excel, and GaBi.