Solar Short-Term Forecasts for Predictive Control of Battery Storage Capacities in Remote PV Diesel Networks

The application of short-term forecasts in remote PV diesel networks is an approach to enable higher PV penetrations and fuel savings without deteriorations in network stability. In this simulation study, two different strategies for the integration of short-term forecasts in combination with battery storage into remote PV diesel networks are analyzed. Method 1 combines conventional battery control strategies with predicted spinning reserve by gensets. The resulting additional fuel savings range from 3.9% to 5.6% compared to conventional control. Further benefits are reduced battery throughput compared to battery only and increased network stability compared to forecast-only or battery-only control strategies. Method 2 uses forecasts to reduce PV power fluctuations by curtailment. Additional fuel savings range from 0.6% to 1.3%, while battery throughput is halved compared to method 1.