Comparison of two energy storage options for optimum balancing of wind farm power outputs

This study presents a simple methodology for analysing and optimising combined wind generation and storage schemes, using both technical and economic performance criteria. The study provides a detailed analysis of the performance of two storage options for such a scheme: pumped storage hydro (PSH) and battery energy storage systems (BESSs). The analysis is carried out using recorded data from an actual UK wind farm (WF), information on the UK electricity market, and currently available PSH and BESS storage technologies to estimate and compare performance of the considered wind generation-storage schemes over the entire lifetime. The results show that an optimised generation-storage scheme can significantly reduce the variability of power outputs and increase the profitability of the WF. It is further shown that optimised PSH-based schemes have better economic performance than BESS schemes, as the latter are limited by the short discharge times. The approach developed in this study could be used during the initial design and planning stages, in order to select and optimise the type and size of energy storage for a combined wind generation-storage scheme.