Model validation and economic dispatch of a dual axis pv tracking system connected to energy storage with grid connection: A case of a healthcare institution in South Africa

•A model of a PV tracking system with energy storage was developed and validated.•The economic dispatch of energy was simulated for a healthcare institution.•An economic analysis was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the system.•Potential energy savings of 40.9% were attained.•The system was projected to break-even in 7.1 years. Healthcare institutions, ranks the second highest energy intensive buildings in the commercial sector, with daily energy consumption ranging from 43 to 92 kWh per bed. Energy management in this sector may prove difficult due to the demand's critical and non-deferrable nature. Therefore, in this paper, a validated optimal power dispatch model of a proposed hybrid energy system connected to a healthcare institution is developed. The healthcare institution considered in this study, which will remain anonymous,11The healthcare institution considered in this paper is located in the Bloemfontein area and referred to as an anonymous healthcare entity in order to maintain confidentiality and privacy of sensitive data used in this study. is subjected to Time-of-Use (ToU) tariffs and maximum demand charges and is considering the implementation of renewable energy technologies to reduce energy costs. Consequently, given the geographical location of the building, a system consisting of a photovoltaic tracking system with a battery bank and grid connection supplying the load is proposed and modelled. The aim is to optimize the power flow between the hybrid system and battery in order to minimize the grid energy costs based on the ToU tariff while reducing the maximum demand charges from the utility. Annual potential cost savings of up to 40.9% were attained, while a projected break-even point of 7.1 years is noted with the proposed optimally controlled system as compared to the load exclusively supplied by the grid.