Description
Current market trend in developing large photovoltaic (PV) plants is not only challanging because of their scale, but has more to do with energy “quality”. Guaranteeing grid operators power quality requirements is essential. In this sense, storage systems present great expectations, not only by their competence to integrate intermittent sources, but also to stabilize grid signals. The project objective is to design new large (MW range) PV farms in order to solve such difficulties by means of integrating them to the energy network with the support of storage units. Main project tasks are: i) New designs in large PV plants, ii) Techno-Economic Study of storage systems for large PV plants, iii) Characterization of network codes and their demands for the integration of large PV plants. With the success of the project, IBERDROLA Engineering will be eligible to develop this kind of plants in any market and with high quality power outcome. It will be supported by two prestigious research centres Tecnalia & SINTEF that will support in storage systems’ requirements and grid characterization.
Summary of project results
IBERDROLA Ingeniería y Construcción led the present project with the main objective to design a new PV farm of 300 MW in order to integrate it to the energy network with the support of storage units. During the first milestone of the project a complete study of PV farm of 300 MW was conducted. As a result of this study the company obtained new designs of large photovoltaic plants with these characteristics of high-voltage. The second milestone of the project focused on activities related to modeling of storage and characterization of network codes and their demands for the integration of large photovoltaic plants. Finally, it must be noted that due to the support received by CDTI and the EEA Grants Programme it has been possible to carry out successfully the developments envisaged in the framework of this project NEWPLAVOL with very satisfactory results for the company.
Summary of bilateral results
SINTEF focused on alternative grid codes, with special focus on different levels of severity for the connection of PV plants – with corresponding opportunities for energy storage technology. The work resulted in a superior description of different scenarios regarding how PV plants and corresponding energy storage technology can be connected to grids with grid codes at different detailing levels. Its participation has been essential for success of the overall project and for achieving the objectives pursued within Activity 3 particularly.