A probabilistic method for calculating the usefulness of a store with finite energy capacity for smoothing electricity generation from wind and solar power

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 162; no. 2; pp. 943 - 948
• Main Authors: Barton, John P., Infield, David G.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 22.11.2006; Elsevier Sequoia
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy; Energy storage; Equipments, installations and applications; Exact sciences and technology; Modelling; Natural energy; Photovoltaic conversion; Photovoltaics; Solar energy; Stand-alone power systems; Voltage control; Wind energy; Wind power generation; Stand-alone power systems; Wind power generation; Modelling; Voltage control; Energy storage; Photovoltaics; Probabilistic approach; Photovoltaic system; Modeling; Wind energy; Energetic efficiency; Photovoltaic array; Photovoltaic conversion
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.07.006

This paper describes a novel method of modelling an energy store used to match the power output from a wind turbine and a solar PV array to a varying electrical load. The model estimates the fraction of time that an energy store spends full or empty. It can also estimate the power curtailed when the store is full and the unsatisfied demand when the store is empty. The new modelling method has been validated against time–stepping methods and shows generally good agreement over a wide range of store power ratings, store efficiencies, wind turbine capacities and solar PV capacities. Example results are presented for a system with 1 MW of wind power capacity, 2 MW of photovoltaic capacity, an energy store of 75% efficiency and a range of loads from 0 to 3 MW average.