A hybrid system combining photovoltaic (PV) and diesel generator production is an attractive solution helping to lower electricity cost in an isolated system initially designed with diesel generation. However, due to PV variability, the operation of such systems represents a challenging task, especially when the PV power becomes an important part of the production. Using storage is a common and efficient solution which helps maximizing PV energy use and thus reduce energy cost and smooth power curve. This work presents another alternative and innovative means to deal with PV variability using solar energy short-term forecast. A benefit analysis is proposed to compare these different options combined with appropriate energy management strategies.

In the context of the EU FP7 AMBASSADOR project, a simulation platform has been developed, as a support for the development and the deployment of energy management systems at the district level. Such simulation platform is called District Simulation Platform (DSP), and includes both the models of the physical components from the district, and the models of the energy management algorithms. The DSP is a support for Software In the Loop (SIL) validation: the same algorithm code is first developed and tested on the DSP before being deployed for real-time operation of the district. The DSP can take into account various district configurations through user-defined configuration files. These configurations cover the field tests of the AMBASSADOR project, including the Lavrion experimental site from NTUA close to Athens (Greece), and the INCAS experimental district platform from CEA close to Chambery (France). The last one is detailed in this paper.

In order to increase the integration of photovoltaic generation into the electricity grid, photovoltaic systems may be combined with electrical energy storage system (ESS). Such combination increases the controllability of the resulting PV-storage plant. Different conversion architectures may be used for the combined PV-storage system. The objective of this paper is to compare the efficiency of different conversion architectures when used for a particular application and for a selectable period of time. For this purpose, a flexible simulation tool, that allows analyzing different case studies, has been built. In the simulation tool the power converters are modeled through efficiency tables that are calculated from a detailed model of the power converter. The converter model includes commutation and conduction losses of IGBT modules, and filters and transformers losses. DC models of the PV system, as well as of the storage system, are also integrated. The analysis is based on simulations of the operation of the PV combined with the storage system for a one year period and a half hour time step.

Photovoltaic generation is characterized by a low predictability, a high variability and a low controllability. Consequently, photovoltaic systems may be combined with energy storage devices, controllable loads or conventional sources in order to reduce the critical impacts related to their large scale integration into power systems. Such combinations lead to a need of energy management tools. This paper presents the development of a generic simulation tool for the energy management of combined power systems including photovoltaic generation. The developed software is named M2C, standing for Multi-Models Multi-Components. In this paper, the authors present the objectives and the proposed approach adopted for the development of M2C. Example of simulations carried out with M2C are shown for three case studies: a 50 electrical vehicle fleet combined with a PV system, a combined PV-storage plant connected to the grid and a stand-alone hybrid power plant including PV systems, diesel gensets and storage for supplying a village load.