Energy storage sizing analysis and its viability for PV power plant clipping losses minimisation

This study proposes a statistical analytic method for collocating a PV power plant and utility-scale energy storage system (UESS) to minimise clipping losses. The novelty of this approach is to assist the PVPP operator in estimating the clipped energy in case of scaling up/down the PVPP generation and/or inverter conversion capacity. Moreover, a detailed economic model is presented to analyse the viability of the UESS and identify the most appropriate technology, storage capacity, and power budgets among the available ones in the market. As a real-life example, the 5-MW Kelmoney PVPP in Ireland has been considered for this analysis. Different case studies have been presented considering different inverter loading ratio (ILR) indices and design scenarios. Results show that the financial viability of UESS deployment for PV clipping losses minimisation as a unique service is a conservative option. The increase in the ILR value of the installation and the development of energy storage technologies greatly impact the UESS sizing and will play a potential role in improving the economic sustainability for clipping losses minimisation application for UESS. Meanwhile, it is suggested combining this service within a multi-service provision framework to achieve a profitable operation. •A statistical PVPP modelling method with an estimating capability of the clipped energy.•An analytical ESS sizing method for PVPP clipping losses minimisation.•Investigate the sustainability of the UESS in clipping losses minimisation application.•Propose a detailed analysis for various ESS technologies for clipping losses minimisation.•Assist the investor for defining future investment conditions.