Hybrid power systems and
microgrids

Foster solar energy use and reduce costs

ABOUT

Maximize the use of renewables in hybrid and microgrid energy systems

In remote areas, solar hybrid systems play a key role to meet decarbonization commitments, reduce electricity production cost and limit exposure to fuel price volatility. However, replacing diesel or heavy fuel oil (HFO) gensets by solar systems is challenging due to solar variability and intermittency. To ensure grid stability while maximizing solar penetration, storage solutions such as batteries can be used in addition, increasing CAPEX. Solar forecasting is complementary and essential to optimize the management and sizing of hybrid systems.

Since solar production can drop by 80% in a few minutes due to clouds, gensets are continuously running below their optimal power in order to be able to provide sufficient power in a short period of time. In the meantime, solar power is often curtailed to stabilize the grid, meaning that solar energy is not optimally used. Anticipating solar variability a few hours and minutes in advance allows for enhanced genset dispatch schedules and control. Therefore, the required spinning reserve can be reduced, which leads to higher solar penetration and better use of running gensets.

Dealing with solar variability using batteries is effective but costly and not straightforward. By modeling and simulating hybrid systems using a smart energy management system (EMS) powered by historical actual and forecast data, hybrid plant size and control strategies can be optimized so that power supply always satisfies demand at the lowest cost. The more accurate the forecast the more competitive the hybrid system.  

CAPEX: up to 15% reduction in storage and/or genset size

OPEX: up to 10% fuel savings

Payback time: below 2 months 

KEY BENEFITS

Why use wind and solar forecasting for hybrid systems?

INCREASE RELIABILITY OF THE POWER SYSTEM

By accurately forecasting solar short-term variability.

REDUCE CAPEX OF THE PROJECT

By optimizing hybrid plant size.

REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS

By maximizing solar energy / minimizing spinning reserve. 

REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

By lowering fuel consumption.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

How are forecasts generated?

Day ahead solar forecasting

Forecasts and live data based on satellite imagery 

Based on satellite imagery

Update frequency: 4 times per hour

Accuracy improvement

Day ahead solar forecasting
Day ahead solar forecasting

Forecasts from ground based fisheye sky images 

Based on sky imager

Update frequency: every minute

PV power ramp prediction

Day ahead solar forecasting
Day ahead solar forecasting

Forecast contribution assessment study and hybrid plant sizing and optimization study

Anticipate the imbalance costs

Define the control strategy

Limit the risks

Day ahead solar forecasting

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