Experience in the Use of Automated Energy Storage Systems Based on Lithium-Ion Batteries in Autonomous Solar-Diesel Power Plants

Abstract

The market of electric power storage systems is developing intensively: technologies are being improved, and experience of their practical application is being gained. These systems make it possible to solve many problems of controlling normal and emergency modes of power systems in a new way. The predominant share of electricity generation at small-scale power plants is produced by diesel, gas piston and gas turbine installations. At the same time, the requirements for energy storage devices in terms of power and energy capacity are currently quite moderate and feasible, which makes it possible to work out algorithms and control laws for them. With the improvement of technology and inevitable reduction in cost, storage systems will also be in demand in the "big" energy sector. The article describes the experience gained with development and use of automated energy storage systems based on lithium-ion batteries as part of autonomous hybrid solar-diesel power plants to improve the energy efficiency of the latter. It is shown that many important problems of choosing the composition of equipment, organization of structure, maintenance of modes, stability and reliability of power systems with the help of energy storage devices can be solved more efficiently than by using conventional methods. Options for solving such problems as reducing peak loads on generating equipment, power flow control, improving the quality of electricity (frequency, voltage), project economics (costs and profits), and energy storage (autonomy/redundancy) are considered.