PrintSummary and Activities
This lesson overviewed the main trends in the development of the large-scale energy storage systems. These systems are considered to be pivotal enabling technologies for greater penetration of renewables into the power grid. Cost, size, and ability to quickly install storage at any location on demand are key factors that will ensure the dispatchability of the new energy resources. Choosing the proper storage technology and sizing the system for a project can be a tricky balancing act between the ability to meet power requirements over a certain period of time and investment cost. In this lesson, you had a chance to study several successful operating solar+storage projects that provide us with a realistic picture of benefits as well as challenges of utility scale storage implementation.
Please go through the following activities to complete this lesson.
| Type | Description/Instructions | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Readings | Complete all necessary reading assigned in this lesson. | |
| Discussion Forum |
Solar + Storage Peaking Plant For this discussion, you will do some web research on Lawa'i Solar and Energy Storage Project installed by AES in Kauai (Hawaii). Based on your findings, you will share your thoughts on the motivation and specific prerequisites for this PV+BESS installation, as well as review the successes and challenges of this project. Further guidance for this assignment is provided in Module 10 in Canvas |
Sunday night |
| Activity |
PV + BESS Sizing Consider the following hypothetical scenario: Penn State’s main campus (University Park) aims to cover 25% of its electricity needs by solar energy. For that purpose, a utility scale PV + battery array system is to be deployed. The system should be able to provide 25% power off-grid if necessary. The PV plant will be feeding the load during the day and will also charge the BESS storage, which will be used to supply power during the night hours. Your goals will be (1) to determine the nameplate capacity for the PV installation and capacity of the BESS storage to meet the generation target, and (2) research vendors for BESS storage and suggest some options for storage units to deploy. Please see more specific instructions for this assignment in Module 10 in Canvas |
Wednesday night |