Technical viability of 136 MWh PV-biogas-battery energy storage power plant: Policy guidelines for BESS based-VRE integration deployment in Thailand

This paper with focus on 136 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) presents an analysis of the technical viability of a renewable hybrid electricity supply system (PV/biogas/battery) employing firm contract commitment. The technical viability is ensured through a series of tests on the system, and the evaluation of BESS performance. Results indicate that this grid-scale photovoltaic hybrid power plant (PVHP) system could operate for longer duration in a day meeting the frequent peak time energy delivery needs throughout the year under tropical climatic conditions. Furthermore, BESS operated at ambient temperatures higher than the recommended range of ambient temperature for approximately 35 % of the operating time of the day. In terms of performance, round trip efficiency of BESS was 90.8 %. Its annual average plant factor was 54.5 %, indicating that the system had potential to supply constant contract power to cover peak demand of about 13 h/day on an average. Based on technical analysis, a simplified model for sizing PV generator and BESS capacity has been proposed. From the operational experience and technical outputs that showed that grid-scale BESS using variable renewable energy source was technically feasible, policy guidelines for promotion of grid based PV/BESS has been proposed. With the renewable resources role in climate mitigation and energy transition, the recommendations include increasing the firm contract commitment duration, plant factor duration threshold, notifications regarding the tests, regulatory reforms on performance standards, promoting R&D research and development, promoting grid flexibility with non-wire solutions, encouraging BESS domestic manufacture, and developing human capacity and skills. • The paper demonstrates the technical viability of PV hybrid power plant for VRE integration. • The round trip efficiency of the BESS was found to be 90.8 %. • The annual average plant factor was 54.5 %. • The system supply constant contract power to cover peak demand of the day of about 13 hours. • Simplified equations to help in the design and sizing of the PV/BESS has been proposed.