Adaptive hybrid energy system for remote Canadian communities: Optimizing wind-diesel systems integrated with adiabatic compressed air energy storage

This study addresses gaps in the integration of compressed air energy storage (CAES) with wind-diesel systems in remote areas, departing from previous research that mostly focused on diesel engine efficiency. Critical factors such as CAES sizing, design, and operation are thoroughly examined through a comprehensive analysis, including power supply–demand patterns and full-year system performance. Utilizing Kangirsuk, an Inuit village, as a case study, the research introduces a novel optimization-based sizing strategy for a small-scale adiabatic CAES (A-CAES) system integrated into a wind-diesel power plant. The study contributes by providing insights into power supply–demand patterns, proposing an optimization strategy for adaptive hybrid energy systems, and evaluating the performance of CAES systems over a year. Results show significant diesel fuel reductions, with a 55% reduction in diesel consumption for a single wind turbine with a CAES system, and an even greater reduction of 63.4% when employing two wind turbines with a CAES system. The diesel fuel savings are determined for oversized CAES systems, indicating that oversizing can improve the system’s diesel fuel independence up to 65.3%, albeit at a higher cost. The capital costs associated with achieving these reductions are $5,088,000 for the 55% reduction, $8,020,000 for the 63.4% reduction, and $11,520,000 for the 65.3% reduction. The cost-effectiveness analysis reveals that while oversizing contributes to enhanced fuel savings, the associated expenses need to be carefully considered in balancing diesel fuel independence gains against economic investment. •Novel sizing strategy for PA-CAES enhances wind-diesel system efficiency.•Investigate operational limitations in CAES modeling for remote areas.•Examine balanced heat exchangers in A-CAES systems.•Propose optimized sizing and operation strategies for hybrid energy systems.•Evaluate H-WD-PA-CAES performance in diesel reduction and capital cost.