Futuristic sustainable home with integrated solar and wind energy.

Unlock Home Energy Savings: How Hybrid Renewable Systems are Changing the Game

Lena Voss in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) can drastically cut your bills and boost sustainability, even with smart energy management strategies."

The world is increasingly focused on sustainable energy solutions. Rapid industrialization and growing populations have led to unprecedented energy demands, straining traditional power sources. The old model of relying solely on non-renewable resources is no longer sustainable, given rising fuel costs, harmful emissions, and the need for extensive infrastructure investments.

Decentralized Energy Planning (DEP) has emerged as a viable alternative. DEP is driven by developments in distributed generation technologies, limitations on new transmission lines, the demand for reliable electricity, energy market liberalization, and concerns about climate change. Microgrids (MGs) are essential to this shift, integrating diverse Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) like solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays and energy storage systems.

Microgrids allow energy exchange between demand-side and supply-side resources. From a homeowner's perspective, MGs offer a potentially cheaper energy source. From a grid management standpoint, MGs function as controlled units within the broader power system. The key is smart building integration, bi-directional energy flow, and data exchange to enable consumers to become 'prosumers,' selling surplus energy back to the grid.

What Are Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) and How Do They Work?

Futuristic sustainable home with integrated solar and wind energy.

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) combine multiple renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, with energy storage to provide a consistent and reliable power supply. These systems often include a smart Energy Management System (EMS) that supervises and monitors energy flow to maximize efficiency and cost savings. Two primary control strategies are used: Rule Based Control (RBC) and Model Predictive Control (MPC).

HRES operation relies heavily on an Energy Management System (EMS). Smart meters are essential for effective Demand Response (DR), allowing real-time adjustments based on grid needs and energy pricing. The EMS manages energy flow, optimizing consumption and storage. Here's how the two main control strategies compare:

Rule Based Control (RBC): This simpler strategy uses a set of predetermined rules to prioritize energy sources. For example, solar power is used first, followed by battery storage, and finally, the grid. While easy to implement, RBC can be less efficient due to its reactive nature.
Model Predictive Control (MPC): MPC is a more sophisticated approach that uses forecasting to predict energy demand and renewable energy availability. MPC optimizes energy flow proactively, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings.

The study detailed in the original article compares RBC and MPC strategies for residential HRES applications. The results highlight that HRES, especially when managed by MPC, can support grid-balancing actions and provide economic benefits to both homeowners and energy providers. The MPC strategy reduces unbalanced energy exchange with the grid and makes more efficient use of HRES components.

The Future of Home Energy is Here

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems offer a promising path towards sustainable and affordable home energy. As technology advances and costs decrease, HRES will likely become increasingly common. Smart control strategies, like Model Predictive Control, are crucial for maximizing the benefits of these systems, ensuring efficient energy use and grid stability. If you're seeking to reduce your carbon footprint and save money, exploring HRES is a worthwhile endeavor.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2018.11.021, Alternate LINK

Title: Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems For Household Ancillary Services

Subject: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Journal: International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Lorenzo Bartolucci, Stefano Cordiner, Vincenzo Mulone, Joao Luis Rossi

Published: 2019-05-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES), and how do they contribute to home energy savings?

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) integrate multiple renewable sources, like solar and wind, along with energy storage, to provide a consistent power supply. They significantly contribute to home energy savings by reducing reliance on the grid, especially when coupled with smart Energy Management Systems (EMS). The EMS optimizes energy flow, which reduces energy bills and maximizes the use of cheaper renewable energy sources, ultimately leading to substantial cost savings for homeowners. HRES, in general, aim to decrease the carbon footprint and make energy more affordable, allowing homeowners to transition to more sustainable practices.

How does Decentralized Energy Planning (DEP) relate to the adoption of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) in homes?

Decentralized Energy Planning (DEP) has become a critical factor in the wider acceptance and application of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES). DEP advocates for distributed generation technologies, which is the core of HRES. DEP offers an alternative to the traditional, centralized power grid. Microgrids (MGs), which integrate Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), play a significant role in this shift. They allow for energy exchange between the supply and demand sides, with HRES, through DEP, empowering homeowners by providing potentially cheaper energy. DEP directly influences the design and operation of HRES by providing the framework to incorporate renewable energy sources and optimize energy distribution at a local level, fostering more resilient and sustainable energy systems for homes.

What is the role of an Energy Management System (EMS) within a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES), and what are the key control strategies employed?

An Energy Management System (EMS) is central to the functionality of a Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES). It's the brain of the system, supervising and monitoring energy flow to ensure maximum efficiency and cost savings. The EMS uses smart meters to enable Demand Response (DR), adjusting energy consumption based on grid needs and pricing. Two key control strategies are employed: Rule Based Control (RBC) and Model Predictive Control (MPC). RBC uses predetermined rules to prioritize energy sources, while MPC uses forecasting to proactively optimize energy flow. MPC is considered more sophisticated, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings compared to RBC.

Explain the practical differences between Rule Based Control (RBC) and Model Predictive Control (MPC) in managing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES).

Rule Based Control (RBC) is a simpler strategy that operates HRES using a predefined set of rules. For example, it might prioritize solar power, then battery storage, and finally the grid. While RBC is easy to implement, it can be less efficient due to its reactive nature. In contrast, Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a more advanced method. MPC uses forecasting to predict energy demand and the availability of renewable energy sources. This proactive approach allows MPC to optimize energy flow, leading to greater efficiency and cost savings. The study shows MPC reducing unbalanced energy exchange with the grid, making more efficient use of the HRES components, and providing benefits to both homeowners and energy providers.

How do Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) and smart controls, such as those using Model Predictive Control (MPC), contribute to grid stability and the concept of 'prosumers'?

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES), particularly when managed by sophisticated control strategies like Model Predictive Control (MPC), play a crucial role in ensuring grid stability. MPC allows for a more balanced energy exchange with the grid by accurately predicting energy needs and renewable energy availability. This reduces the reliance on the grid during peak demand. Smart controls, combined with bi-directional energy flow and data exchange, enable consumers to become 'prosumers'. Prosumers can sell surplus energy back to the grid, creating a dynamic and responsive energy market. This shift not only helps stabilize the grid but also provides economic benefits to homeowners, as they can generate revenue from their excess renewable energy production, supporting a more sustainable and decentralized energy landscape.