Hybrid Operational Strategies for Smart Renewable Energy Deployment in Port Infrastructures Toward Efficiency, Sustainability and Innovation

This research presents the development of a new Hybrid Operational Strategy model for energy management optimization designed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing hybrid renewable energy modules in ports, aiming to improve their efficiency, sustainability, and innovation. The proposed system integrates photovoltaic, wind, and hydrokinetic energy sources, incorporating electronic components and assessing two energy storage technologies—Pump-as-Turbine (PAT) and battery systems—to determine the most viable solution for practical deployment. The optimization algorithm allows a concurrent refinement process for the power generation data of each renewable source. Four scenarios were analyzed within this optimization framework: two assessing the performance of single modules employing each storage technology individually, and two exploring configurations with multiple modules operating in parallel, either with independent storage units or a single centralized system. Battery storage was identified as the most feasible option based on the optimization outcomes. Considering the demand characteristics and generation capacity of the hybrid module, the configuration yielding the best overall performance consisted of a single module incorporating battery storage, achieving 90% demand coverage and demonstrating economic viability with a Net Present Value (NPV) of 9182.79 € and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 10.88%.