Optimizing demand-side energy management for stand-alone wind-solar microgrids in rural settlements: A case study for nomadic Yurt in Kazakhstan

Khan A.M. Alhassan A.B. Kolumbetov A. Haruna A. Gali V. Thao N.G.M. Do T.D.
May 2026 Elsevier Ltd

Energy Conversion and Management: X
2026 #30

Nomadic communities often reside in remote regions requiring extensive transmission infrastructure, which is costly and contributes to higher greenhouse gas emissions. This study proposes a hybrid microgrid (MG) for the Shell Yurt Center, a representative nomadic dwelling in Kazakhstan. The system integrates renewable energy sources (RESs), including photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), and battery energy storage systems (BESS), to deliver a reliable and cost-effective energy supply. An analysis of a home energy management system (HEMS) is conducted using real-time data of the Yurt to support efficient demand-side management (DSM). The HEMS is designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce overall energy costs through the smart scheduling of household appliances. Dynamic Programming (DP) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) are applied to manage energy usage under an unscheduled electricity pricing rate of $0.583/kWh as a baseline without using any optimization. Three scenarios are examined: Case 1 (minimal appliances with normal usage), Case 2 (maximum appliances with average usage), and Case 3 (maximum appliances with extreme usage). GA consistently outperforms DP in Case 1, resulting in reduced net present costs (NPC), levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and lower maintenance costs. In Case 2, DP has a slight edge in NPC and LCOE, but GA maintains favorable maintenance costs. Case 3 shows that GA achieves the lowest NPC ($42,028), LCOE ($0.396/kWh), and maintenance costs ($466/year). Overall, the study establishes an optimal scheduling framework for renewable energy (RE) utilization for nomadic dwellers using a fully functioning MG complex.

Demand-side management , Dynamic programming , Home energy management system , Renewable energy sources , Smart grid

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Department of Robotics, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS), Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Nazarbayev University Research and Innovation System (NURIS), Nazarbayev University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shaanxi Province, Xian, 710072, China
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, AL109AB, United Kingdom
Division of Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science and Engineering, Shimane University, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan

Department of Robotics
Nazarbayev University Research and Innovation System (NURIS)
School of Aeronautics
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Division of Mechanical

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