Sizing and operation of hybrid photovoltaic – battery energy storage system in islanded power networks with high renewable energy curtailments

Power networks are currently challenged by high renewable energy curtailments (REC), a countereffect of renewables’ sporadic nature and high photovoltaic (PV) penetration in grids. This work aims to provide sizing and operation insights for battery energy storage systems (BESS) coupled with PVs, as a solution to mitigate REC, especially in islanded power networks. The derived REC analysis and simulation model results demonstrated the attractiveness of longer BESS-duration and quantified the examined asset’s environmental and financial impact. Notably, the longer BESS-duration managed to utilise the available (curtailed) energy to the greatest extent and extended time utilisation. The obtained results provided insights for the practicality of BESS power and energy capacity, useful to policymakers, system operators, and investors for avoiding unnecessary or ineffective investments.