This book presents a comprehensive definition of smart grids and their benefits and compares
smart and traditional grids. It also introduces a design methodology for stand-alone hybrid
renewable energy system with and without applying the smart grid concepts for comparison
purposes. It discusses using renewable energy power plants to feed loads in remote areas as
well as in central power plants connected to electric utilities. Smart grid concepts used in
the design of the hybrid renewable power systems can reduce the size of components which can
be translated to a reduction in the cost of generated energy. The proposed hybrid renewable
energy system includes wind photovoltaic battery and diesel and is used initially to feed
certain loads covering the load required completely. The book introduces a novel methodology
taking the smart grid concept into account by dividing the loads into high and low priority
parts. The high priority part should be supplied at any generated conditions. However the low
priority loads can be shifted to the time when the generated energy from renewable energy
sources is greater than the high priority loads requirements. The results show that the use of
this smart grid concept reduces the component size and the cost of generated energy compared to
that without dividing the loads. The book also describes the use of smart optimization
techniques like particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithm (GA) to optimally
design the hybrid renewable energy system. This book provides an excellent background to
renewable energy sources optimal sizing and locating of hybrid renewable energy sources the
best optimization methodologies for sizing and designing the components of hybrid renewable
energy systems and offers insights into using smart grid concepts in the system's design and
sizing.It also helps readers understand the dispatch methodology and how to connect the
system's different components their modeling and the cost analysis of the system.
