Advanced optimization for sustainable energy management: A case study of microgrid design in Niamey, Niger using the transient search algorithm

Issoufou Tahirou Halidou; M.H. Elkholy; Akie Uehara; Fathia Jombi Kheir; Mitsunaga Kinjo; Tomonobu Senjyu; M. Talaat; Abdoulkader Moussa Siddo; Taghreed Said; Issoufou Tahirou Halidou; M.H. Elkholy; Akie Uehara; Fathia Jombi Kheir; Mitsunaga Kinjo; Tomonobu Senjyu; M. Talaat; Abdoulkader Moussa Siddo; Taghreed Said

doi:10.3934/energy.2026003

AIMS Energy

2026, Volume 14, Issue 1: 47-88. doi: 10.3934/energy.2026003

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Research article

Advanced optimization for sustainable energy management: A case study of microgrid design in Niamey, Niger using the transient search algorithm

1.
Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
2.
Interdisciplinary Research Center for Smart Mobility and Logistics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
3.
Electrical Power and Machines, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, P.O. 44519, Zagazig, Egypt
4.
Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Egyptian Chinese University, P.O. 11787, Cairo, Egypt
5.
Division of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology, Kitami, Hokkaido 090-8507, Japan
6.
Electrical Engineering and Computers Department, Higher Technological Institute, 10th of Ramadan City, Egypt

Received: 20 June 2025 Revised: 29 October 2025 Accepted: 25 November 2025 Published: 07 January 2026

In this study, we evaluated three renewable-based microgrid configurations designed to strengthen energy security and long-term sustainability. Configuration 1 integrates a photovoltaic (PV) array and wind turbines (WT) with a battery energy storage system (BESS). Configuration 2 replaces BESS with a hydrogen energy storage system (HESS), offering extended storage capacity and improved energy availability. Configuration 3 combines BESS and HESS, leveraging the advantages of short-term and long-term storage to create a more resilient energy system. The objective function was formulated to minimize the total annual cost (TAC) while optimizing energy generation, storage efficiency, and overall system reliability. A robust and efficient transient search algorithm (TSA) was employed to determine the optimal capacity of the microgrid configurations. A comprehensive cost analysis revealed that configuration 1 was the most cost-effective. However, incorporating HESS in configuration 2 resulted in a 41.3% increase in cost due to the investment required for electrolyzers, storage tanks, and fuel cells. Configuration 3, which integrates battery and hydrogen storage, incurred an additional 3.2% cost compared to configuration 2 and 45.8% compared to configuration 1. Despite the higher cost, this hybrid system enhances energy resilience by efficiently balancing short-term and long-term storage solutions.
Citation: Issoufou Tahirou Halidou, M.H. Elkholy, Akie Uehara, Fathia Jombi Kheir, Mitsunaga Kinjo, Tomonobu Senjyu, M. Talaat, Abdoulkader Moussa Siddo, Taghreed Said. Advanced optimization for sustainable energy management: A case study of microgrid design in Niamey, Niger using the transient search algorithm[J]. AIMS Energy, 2026, 14(1): 47-88. doi: 10.3934/energy.2026003

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Abstract

In this study, we evaluated three renewable-based microgrid configurations designed to strengthen energy security and long-term sustainability. Configuration 1 integrates a photovoltaic (PV) array and wind turbines (WT) with a battery energy storage system (BESS). Configuration 2 replaces BESS with a hydrogen energy storage system (HESS), offering extended storage capacity and improved energy availability. Configuration 3 combines BESS and HESS, leveraging the advantages of short-term and long-term storage to create a more resilient energy system. The objective function was formulated to minimize the total annual cost (TAC) while optimizing energy generation, storage efficiency, and overall system reliability. A robust and efficient transient search algorithm (TSA) was employed to determine the optimal capacity of the microgrid configurations. A comprehensive cost analysis revealed that configuration 1 was the most cost-effective. However, incorporating HESS in configuration 2 resulted in a 41.3% increase in cost due to the investment required for electrolyzers, storage tanks, and fuel cells. Configuration 3, which integrates battery and hydrogen storage, incurred an additional 3.2% cost compared to configuration 2 and 45.8% compared to configuration 1. Despite the higher cost, this hybrid system enhances energy resilience by efficiently balancing short-term and long-term storage solutions.

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