Stochastic Rating of Storage Systems in Isolated Networks with Increasing Wave Energy Penetration

Elisabetta Tedeschi,Marta Molinas,Maider Santos,Jonas Sjolte

doi:10.3390/en6052481

Abstract

The future success of wave energy in the renewable energy mix depends on the technical advancements of the specific components and systems, on the grid access availability and, ultimately, on the economical profitability of the investment. Small and remote islands represent an ideal framework for wave energy exploitation, due both to resource availability and to the current high cost of electricity that mostly relies on diesel generation. Energy storage can be the enabling technology to match the intermittent power generation from waves to the energy needs of the local community. In this paper real data from La Palma, in the Canary Islands, are used as a basis for the considered test case. As a first step the study quantifies the expected power production from Wave Energy Converter (WEC) arrays, based on data from the Lifesaver point absorber developed by Fred. Olsen. Then, a stochastic optimization approach is applied to evaluate the convenience of energy storage introduction for reducing the final cost of energy and to define the corresponding optimal rating of the storage devices.

Highlights

In order for wave energy to significantly contribute to the renewable energy share, Wave Energy Converter (WEC) need to achieve efficient and reliable operation and stable grid connection
The present paper focuses on the real test case offered by La Palma, the most north-westerly of the Canary Islands, located offshore the coast of Morocco (Figure 1)
As regards the cost of energy produced from the wave farm, it has been set considering that wave energy can equal the present cost of offshore wind energy, which is estimated in the range of

Summary

Introduction

In order for wave energy to significantly contribute to the renewable energy share, WECs need to achieve efficient and reliable operation and stable grid connection. Reduction in the cost of energy produced from the waves is of fundamental importance to determine the success of the sector and to make it competitive with other renewables. Other ways to favour the economic viability of wave energy lie in the possibility to integrate WECs into hybrid systems, coupling them, for example, to wind turbines [2,3]. Another option is to apply them in favorable contexts, such as remote locations currently experiencing very high costs of energy

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Conclusion