A model for evaluating the configuration and dispatch of PV plus battery power plants. (15th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DiOrio, Nicholas; Denholm, Paul; Hobbs, William B.
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 262(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-15
• Subjects: Photovoltaics -- Battery -- Energy storage -- Dispatch -- ac-coupled -- dc-coupled; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: Open source model to evaluate photovoltaic plus AC or DC coupled storage systems. Rolling dispatch optimization based on energy market price signal. Analysis illustrates that configuration plays a role in system performance. DC-coupling increases system value over AC-coupled at inverter load ratio of 1.3. Abstract: An open-source model was developed to optimize energy storage operation for photovoltaic- (PV-) plus-battery systems with AC-coupled and DC-coupled configurations. It includes the ability to use forecast energy prices to optimize battery charge and discharge on a rolling time horizon. The model allows for exploration of different configurations, including capital costs, inverter performance, dispatch flexibility, and capturing otherwise clipped energy for the DC-coupled system. The model can run 20 full years of hourly data in approximately two seconds, allowing comparison of a large number of configurations. We applied the model in a test case demonstrating reduced inverter clipping for DC-coupled systems and yielded slightly higher overall value than AC-coupled systems, with an approximately 2 percent increase in internal rate of return or benefit/cost ratio. Our results show that at current estimated prices for lithium-ion battery systems, large-scale PV-plus-battery plants are economically viable under the right conditions, with the configuration playing a role in system flexibility and performance. This model provides the ability for project developers, industry professionals, and researchers to use readily available software to quickly evaluate and design these systems.