Cost Analysis for Sizing Energy Storage Systems in Wind-Diesel Microgrids

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effects of implementing different ESS sizes in wind-diesel micro-grids based on various wind penetration values. By performing parametric analyses, it can be shown which wind power penetration levels an ESS would be best suited. The three parameters that are varied in this analysis include: the wind penetration, which is reflected in the number of Wind Turbine Generators (WTG) installed; the energy rating of the ESS; and the power rating of the ESS. Both continuous and discontinuous diesel operations are considered, where the diesel can be turned-off for a period of time in the discontinuous diesel mode, and not in the continuous diesel mode. A one-year analysis is performed for each ESS size for each wind power penetration level, ranging from 0% to 50% of the maximum load, using an hourly scheduling controller that has been previously developed and has been shown to yield a minimized cost of energy. The final cost of energy for each system is then compared against each other for each wind power penetration level. The cost of energy for each penetration level is also compared.