Evaluating different operation modes of a hybrid CSP+PV+TES+BESS plant varying the dispatch priority

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis between two different operation modes of a hybrid CSP+PV plant with TES and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to provide 100 MW of base generation. The first operation mode operates the CSP plant as a back-up of the PV plant and activates the BESS only when the TES needs to be supplemented. The second operation mode operates the BESS as the first back-up of the PV plant, activating the CSP plant only when the BESS reaches its minimum operational capacity. The study evaluates the impact of the operation modes on the hybrid plant performance in three locations of Chile (Crucero, Carrera Pinto, and Santiago). Results of the analysis allow determining which operation mode may provide a better techno-economic annual performance of the hybrid plant when the dispatch priority of the storage sections are varied, considering that the production profile is different between seasons and for each location.