Power Intermittency and Technoeconomic Performance of Solar Photovoltaic Systems With Energy Storage

Abstract

In support of continued photovoltaic (PV) electricity development this thesis uses measured PV generation and residential load data to evaluate the impacts of PV intermittency on grid stability, and the importance of electricity tariffs on PV value. The potential of pairing PV with energy storage for intermittency mitigation or to increase PV electricity consumption and system value was also assessed using an energy storage model. Measured generation data closely matched data obtained using pyranometers, supporting their application for future intermittency studies. Pairing residential PV and load profiles showed that PV has a negligible impact on net load intermittency. Energy storage capacities of 10 to 18 kWhDC paired with converter sizes of 2 to 3 kWAC were found to provide the most value in all scenarios observed and had greater economic value than using PV without storage.