Description
Although grid operators have invested in developing technology to control the renewable energies, its fluctuation and predictability remains a technology challenge for the sector. This fact, along with the increase of renewable energies in the energy mix, makes necessary the additional innovative technology solutions that enhance grid integration, preserving the stability and electrical system safety. In this context, energy storage systems are reported as an additional technology that could prevent these problems and enable higher levels of integration of RES. In Spain, the greatest benefit in the use of energy storage systems (ESS) could be obtained in wind power systems, mainly due to the higher amount of installed power facilities. The project will use energy storage systems based on lithium‐ion technology and raises the following objectives: the determination of the appropriate configuration for the ESS installation to balance fluctuations in the wind energy power output, improve renewable energies grid integration and develop and experimentally validate the lithium‐ion energy storage system and its control algorithms. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Norwegian research organisation SINTEF.
Summary of project results
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) show a variability on climatic conditions; it is necessary to find solutions that enhance grid integration of these technologies. Energy storage systems (ESS) are an alternative that could enable higher levels of integration of renewable energy. The SMART WIND project proposes the use of ESS and has the following main objectives: - Analysis and definition of the possible applications of ESS with wind power: an exhaustive analysis of the state of the art of a combination of RES and storage. - Dimensioning of the batteries: high resolution data from two wind farms was used for the dimensioning of an ESS to enable wind to provide additional services. - Development of the conceptual design for the high level control and regulation system: a model of a wind farm with centralized ESS has been programmed. The achievement of these objectives is a step towards the introduction of ESS in the grid, which will be possible once the markets provide the necessary regulatory and economic signals.
Summary of bilateral results
Collaboration with SINTEF has been an add value to the project due the proven capabilities that this technology center has achieved in the last years and the great reputation in the renewable and grid integration field.