This paper presents an integrated economic-based
framework for the spatial and capacity selection of small and
medium renewable energy grids of the solar and wind types for
remote areas in Egypt. The proposed framework is divided into
two levels. The first level handles the analysis and modeling of
small and medium micro-grids spatially distributed generation
units and the second level provides a HOMER software-based
optimization methodology for an assembly of various small and
medium distributed generation units to fulfill different demands.
Based on information about expected demand pattern and its
growth in the future, two renewable small and medium energy
grids configurations of different load patters are presented. Each
grid is formed of several units of solar and wind generation
plants. Application of the proposed framework is carried out for
selected small and medium Microgrids case studies at Ain El-
Sokhna region, Red Sea, Egypt. Finally, the implementation of
the framework demonstrated that the approach could provide a
strong multi-phasing decision tool in the energy market for
determining the planned additional generation units capacities,
their geographical distribution and corresponding justified
purchased unit cost for each level of operation demands