Energy Storage System Sizing Optimization for Remote Isolated Power Systems For Integrating Renewable Energy Systems

Coupling energy storage systems with renewable generation systems has a variety of advantages including: increasing the penetration of renewables, reducing curtailment, providing energy security, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and providing an array of ancillary services. These advantages are multiplied for hybrid off-grid power systems. However, sizing both the energy storage system for both energy capacity and the power rating can be difficult in these remote locations, as modularity, solution characteristics, transportation and installation logistics must be taken into consideration. This analysis simulates one year of energy generation and load based on real data from the remote community of Old Crow Yukon Territory, Canada. Throughout the year data pertaining to the effect of the energy storage system on the remote power system are collected. This information is used to find the optimal energy capacity and power rating for the remote isolated power system, using a specific energy storage dispatch logic. Seven parameters are used to find the optimal solution: cost of energy, cost of power, cost of fuel, cost of curtailment, cost of reserve, cost of insufficient power, and cost of blackouts. Each parameter is compared on the basis of levelized cost of energy and a specific weighting factor. Three cases are examined for different weighing factors, to demonstrate the flexibility of the approach to serve specific purposes. Case 1 examines equal values across all weighting factors. Case 2 focuses on fuel consumption and curtailment and Case 3 focuses on energy security and reliability.