Multi-objective optimal design of solar power plants with storage systems according to dispatch strategy

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive analysis evaluating the impact of the dispatch strategy on the optimal design configurations of different combinations of solar power plants with storage. The analysis considers four dispatch profiles (baseload, daylight, night, and daylight and evening), and four technology combinations including a solar PV plant with batteries, a CSP plant with Thermal Storage (TES), a hybrid CSP-PV plant with TES, and a hybrid CSP-PV plant with TES and batteries. Two locations with high and moderate levels of DNI were selected and cost scenarios for 2020 and 2030 were considered. The aim is to determine the competitiveness ranges of each technology combination and establishing the least-cost technological option that allows meeting a dispatch strategy with a certain level of supply guarantee. A multi-objective optimization approach was followed to obtain the trade-off curves that minimize the LCOE and maximize the sufficiency factor in terms of the nominal size of the PV plant, solar multiple, TES size, batteries capacity, and inverter power rate. Results of this work allow determining the influence of the dispatch strategy on the competitiveness of these storage-integrated technology options, giving relevant information concerning under which conditions one technology combination is preferable over another.