Project Definition
Scotland is the windiest country in Europe and is home to a large proportion of the UK's windfarms with Renewables being the single largest contributor to electricity generation in Scotland. [1] It is estimated that Scotland's current windfarms could provide power to all Scottish homes. [2] However, the problem with dispatchability of renewable energy technologies has not yet been solved.
The desire to ensure a reliable electricity system as well as a drive to increase renewable penetration of the electricity grid has began a conversation into incorporation of storage methods at grid scale. It is thought that storage solutions such as batteries could help rectify the dispatchability issue of renewable generators such as wind, tidal and solar power.
Also, in aid to reach the UK's 2020 targets on emissions a solution to the current gas reliant electricity production must be found and storage seems like the most feasible and sensible solution.
The desire to ensure a reliable electricity system as well as a drive to increase renewable penetration of the electricity grid has began a conversation into incorporation of storage methods at grid scale. It is thought that storage solutions such as batteries could help rectify the dispatchability issue of renewable generators such as wind, tidal and solar power.
Also, in aid to reach the UK's 2020 targets on emissions a solution to the current gas reliant electricity production must be found and storage seems like the most feasible and sensible solution.
The Project was therefore defined as:
"To investigate the use of storage and conversion for curtailed wind"
The project scope was determined to ascertain the feasibility of a potential hybrid storage and renewable system which could be installed in the UK grid in the near future.
"To investigate the use of storage and conversion for curtailed wind"
The project scope was determined to ascertain the feasibility of a potential hybrid storage and renewable system which could be installed in the UK grid in the near future.
Aim
To investigate the current technology of storage options for curtailed wind and look at the feasibility of installing them on two different wind farms of different sizes, as well as potential future prospects.
Objectives
- Identify UK power limitations
- Identify different policies and how storage can help reach their goals
- Determine performance of the large and small scale wind farm and how much overproduction they create
- Identify storage options, currently used or being developed
- Comparing the different storage options
- Investigate what storage options suits for the different scales of wind farms
- Identify different policies and how storage can help reach their goals
- Determine performance of the large and small scale wind farm and how much overproduction they create
- Identify storage options, currently used or being developed
- Comparing the different storage options
- Investigate what storage options suits for the different scales of wind farms
Methodology
The methodology was based on obtaining and processing accurate system parameters within the project scope boundary. To ensure accurate data was used in our simulations,intensive research on the site parameters, storage options and weather characteristics had to be conducted.
A profile of the wind energy output was created for the site areas studied to allow studies to be conducted on storage capabilities.
Manual and commercial simulation outputs were generated using MS Excel and HOMER Pro. System simulation to understand the feasibility of incorporating storage with a renewable generator. Graphical and tabular outputs were then generated from the software with the ideal parameters to satisfy the original project aim and objectives. Output from the system was validated and correlated from the known results from the 2 case studies with both simulation outputs.
Two suitable case studies were identified on the basis of scale, location and availability of accurate meteorological / performance data. Also critical was the availability of official performance figures of the 2 sites for validation:
A profile of the wind energy output was created for the site areas studied to allow studies to be conducted on storage capabilities.
Manual and commercial simulation outputs were generated using MS Excel and HOMER Pro. System simulation to understand the feasibility of incorporating storage with a renewable generator. Graphical and tabular outputs were then generated from the software with the ideal parameters to satisfy the original project aim and objectives. Output from the system was validated and correlated from the known results from the 2 case studies with both simulation outputs.
Two suitable case studies were identified on the basis of scale, location and availability of accurate meteorological / performance data. Also critical was the availability of official performance figures of the 2 sites for validation:
Find out more about the background
[1] http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Facts
[2] https://www.procorre.com/resources/blog/posts/2016/may-2016/uk-making-the-most-of-being-europe-s-windiest-country/
[2] https://www.procorre.com/resources/blog/posts/2016/may-2016/uk-making-the-most-of-being-europe-s-windiest-country/