Energy storage power stations must set aside special reserves

Why do power plants need a reserve capacity?

Some of the most important results of this work have been around the issue of storage and availability of energy for uninterrupted distribution. One of the most significant challenges for power plants is the potential loss of a large generator. This means all generators in the system must have some immediate reserve capacity.

Should energy storage be available for reserves?

In this case, if energy storage is available for reserves, the burden of providing downward reserve could be shifted to the energy storage devices, and traditional generators could operate closer to minimum outputs; thus more renewable generation can be utilized.

What drives energy reserve requirements?

The increased variability of resources within generation portfolios and uncertainty of events are beginning to drive reserve requirements. EAC Members developed recommendations to the Department of Energy (DOE) based on suggestions from the panelists and opinions of the EAC Members.

Do energy storage-based reserves lead to negative effects?

We find that energy storage-based reserves may lead to negative impacts under certain dispatch algorithms, system configurations, generation mixes, and reserve requirements. In a power system, generation and reserve dispatch schedules are determined by solving the unit commitment problem and the economic dispatch problem .

What are battery storage power stations?

Battery storage power stations are usually composed of batteries, power conversion systems (inverters), control systems and monitoring equipment. There are a variety of battery types used, including lithium-ion, lead-acid, flow cell batteries, and others, depending on factors such as energy density, cycle life, and cost.

How should operating reserves evolve with the energy industry?

Operating reserves and how they are thought about must evolve with the industry. The amount of operating reserves required should consider the increasing rate of intermittent and natural gas resources on the grid. It also should accommodate the electrification and increased demand-side management efforts.