Role of Energy Storage to Reduce Variability Impacts

The Power generated by solar PV generation is intermittent, variable, limited during overcast, unavailable at nights, and asynchronous. Replacing the power generated by conventional generators with Solar PV generation raises apprehensions on power adequacy, flexibility and reactive power scarcity, network capacity limitations, fault behavior, frequency support, and power quality, among others. This chapter focuses on the role of energy storage systems in reducing the negative impacts of PV systems on power systems. It presents an overview of energy storage technologies and how each technology can benefit the power system to alleviate the impacts of solar PV generation. The concept of dispatchable PV-Energy storage hybrid systems is also discussed in this chapter. The realization of dispatchable solar PV generation can reduce the need for flexibility and reserve. A framework for a dispatchable solar PV generation is proposed. The components of this framework and the tasks each should carry out is articulated.