Technical and Economic Feasibility of Transportable Energy Storage Systems to Reduce Wind Energy Curtailment

With growing levels of renewable generation connected to the power system, particularly at the distribution level, wind energy curtailment can become increasingly prevalent. Localized energy storage systems can mitigate curtailment; however, variations in weather patterns over diurnal, weekly, and seasonal cycles may lead to underutilization of storage assets for extended periods. This motivates the need for transportable energy storage systems (TESSs) that can be easily relocated to different parts of the power system based on local network constraints. In this study, the technical and economic feasibility of a TESS for reducing wind curtailment and system transmission congestion is investigated. The chosen technology is rechargeable sodium-nickel chloride (NaNiCI₂) batteries, which offer short to long duration (1-4, 4-12 hours) electricity storage with lower carbon emissions and costs compared to other storage options. A MATLAB/Simulink model is developed for the NaNiCI₂-TESS. It is important to note that the battery is charged with the curtailed energy from the wind farm, based on temporal data of curtailment. By integrating TESSs into the wind farm as a case study, the power output can be optimized, and curtailment can be minimized. The synchronized power output from the battery helps compensate for fluctuations in wind turbine generation, ensuring a more stable and efficient power supply. This research highlights the potential of transportable battery storage systems in enhancing renewable energy integration and reducing curtailment, ultimately contributing to a more reliable and sustainable power system.