Showing papers on "Stand-alone power system published in 2013"
TL;DR: In this article, an international review of numerous power-to-gas pilot plants that have either already been realized or are being planned is presented, which provides information about their installed components and capacities as well as operating experience that has been had with them.
916 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a smoothing control method for reducing wind/photovoltaic (PV)/BESS hybrid output power fluctuations and regulating battery state of charge (SOC) under the typical conditions is proposed.
Abstract: The battery energy storage station (BESS) is the current and typical means of smoothing wind- or solar-power generation fluctuations. Such BESS-based hybrid power systems require a suitable control strategy that can effectively regulate power output levels and battery state of charge (SOC). This paper presents the results of a wind/photovoltaic (PV)/BESS hybrid power system simulation analysis undertaken to improve the smoothing performance of wind/PV/BESS hybrid power generation and the effectiveness of battery SOC control. A smoothing control method for reducing wind/PV hybrid output power fluctuations and regulating battery SOC under the typical conditions is proposed. A novel real-time BESS-based power allocation method also is proposed. The effectiveness of these methods was verified using MATLAB/SIMULINK software.
728 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of increased penetration of photovoltaic (PV) systems on static performance as well as transient stability of a large power system, in particular the transmission system, is examined.
Abstract: Present renewable portfolio standards are changing power systems by replacing conventional generation with alternate energy resources such as photovoltaic (PV) systems. With the increase in penetration of PV resources, power systems are expected to experience a change in dynamic and operational characteristics. This paper studies the impact of increased penetration of PV systems on static performance as well as transient stability of a large power system, in particular the transmission system. Utility scale and residential rooftop PVs are added to the aforementioned system to replace a portion of conventional generation resources. While steady state voltages are observed under various PV penetration levels, the impact of reduced inertia on transient stability performance is also examined. The studied system is a large test system representing a portion of the Western U.S. interconnection. The simulation results obtained effectively identify both detrimental and beneficial impacts of increased PV penetration both for steady state stability and transient stability performance.
687 citations
TL;DR: This research combines RTP with the inclining block rate (IBR) model and proposes an efficient scheduling method for home power usage that would effectively reduce both the electricity cost and PAR, thereby, strengthening the stability of the entire electricity system.
Abstract: With the development of smart grid, residents have the opportunity to schedule their power usage in the home by themselves for the purpose of reducing electricity expense and alleviating the power peak-to-average ratio (PAR). In this paper, we first introduce a general architecture of energy management system (EMS) in a home area network (HAN) based on the smart grid and then propose an efficient scheduling method for home power usage. The home gateway (HG) receives the demand response (DR) information indicating the real-time electricity price that is transferred to an energy management controller (EMC). With the DR, the EMC achieves an optimal power scheduling scheme that can be delivered to each electric appliance by the HG. Accordingly, all appliances in the home operate automatically in the most cost-effective way. When only the real-time pricing (RTP) model is adopted, there is the possibility that most appliances would operate during the time with the lowest electricity price, and this may damage the entire electricity system due to the high PAR. In our research, we combine RTP with the inclining block rate (IBR) model. By adopting this combined pricing model, our proposed power scheduling method would effectively reduce both the electricity cost and PAR, thereby, strengthening the stability of the entire electricity system. Because these kinds of optimization problems are usually nonlinear, we use a genetic algorithm to solve this problem.
617 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors model many combinations of renewable electricity sources (inland wind, offshore wind, and photovoltaics) with electrochemical storage (batteries and fuel cells), incorporated into a large grid system (72 GW).
498 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an overview of the different types of batteries used for large-scale electricity storage is carried out, in particular, the current operational large scale battery energy storage systems around the world with their applications are identified and a comparison between the different kinds of batteries, as well as with other types of large scale energy storage system systems, is presented.
Abstract: In this work, an overview of the different types of batteries used for large-scale electricity storage is carried out. In particular, the current operational large-scale battery energy storage systems around the world with their applications are identified and a comparison between the different types of batteries, as well as with other types of large-scale energy storage systems, is presented. The analysis has shown that the largest battery energy storage systems use sodium–sulfur batteries, whereas the flow batteries and especially the vanadium redox flow batteries are used for smaller battery energy storage systems. The battery electricity storage systems are mainly used as ancillary services or for supporting the large scale solar and wind integration in the existing power system, by providing grid stabilization, frequency regulation and wind and solar energy smoothing.
406 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the technical and economical benefits of different active and reactive power control strategies for grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Germany are discussed, which do not require any kind of data communication between the inverter and its environment, as well as an on-load tap changer for distribution transformers.
Abstract: This work discusses the technical and economical benefits of different active and reactive power control strategies for grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Germany. The aim of these control strategies is to limit the voltage rise, caused by a high local photovoltaic power feed-in and hence allow additional photovoltaic capacity to be connected to the mains. Autonomous inverter control strategies, which do not require any kind of data communication between the inverter and its environment, as well as an on-load tap changer for distribution transformers, is investigated. The technical and economical assessment of these strategies is derived from 12-month root mean square (rms) simulations, which are based on a real low voltage grid and measured dc power generation values. The results show that the provision of reactive power is an especially effective way to increase the hosting capacity of a low voltage grid for photovoltaic systems.
392 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the optimal control of the microgrid's energy storage devices is addressed, where stored energy is controlled to balance power generation of renewable sources to optimize overall power consumption at the micro-grid point of common coupling.
Abstract: Energy storage may improve power management in microgrids that include renewable energy sources. The storage devices match energy generation to consumption, facilitating a smooth and robust energy balance within the microgrid. This paper addresses the optimal control of the microgrid's energy storage devices. Stored energy is controlled to balance power generation of renewable sources to optimize overall power consumption at the microgrid point of common coupling. Recent works emphasize constraints imposed by the storage device itself, such as limited capacity and internal losses. However, these works assume flat, highly simplified network models, which overlook the physical connectivity. This work proposes an optimal power flow solution that considers the entire system: the storage device limits, voltages limits, currents limits, and power limits. The power network may be arbitrarily complex, and the proposed solver obtains a globally optimal solution.
378 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an improved optimal sizing method for wind-solar-battery hybrid power system (WSB-HPS), considering the system working in stand-alone and grid-connected modes, is proposed.
Abstract: This paper proposes an improved optimal sizing method for wind-solar-battery hybrid power system (WSB-HPS), considering the system working in stand-alone and grid-connected modes. The proposed method is based on the following principles: a) high power supply reliability; b) full utilization of the complementary characteristics of wind and solar; c) small fluctuation of power injected into the grid; d) optimization of the battery's charge and discharge state; e) minimization of the total cost of system. Compared with the traditional methods, the proposed method can achieve a higher power supply reliability while require less battery capacity in stand-alone mode. And in grid-connected mode, the optimization strategy based on energy filter is further utilized to achieve the optimal battery capacity. Thus, the proposed method can achieve a much smaller fluctuation of power injected into the grid. In addition, the battery's charge and discharge state can be optimized thanks to the consideration of the battery's depth of discharge (DOD), the charge/discharge current, rate and cycles, which will prolong the battery's lifetime. A case study of WSB-HPS located in Hohhot, China is presented to verify the advantages of the proposed optimal sizing method.
367 citations
TL;DR: A criterion for evaluating the economic value of batteries compared to purchasing electricity from the grid, lower and upper bounds on Crefc are proposed, and an efficient algorithm for calculating its value is introduced; these results are validated via simulations.
Abstract: In this paper, we study the problem of determining the size of battery storage used in grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems In our setting, electricity is generated from PV and is used to supply the demand from loads Excess electricity generated from the PV can be either sold back to the grid or stored in a battery, and electricity must be purchased from the electric grid if the PV generation and battery discharging cannot meet the demand Due to the time-of-use electricity pricing and net metered PV systems, electricity can also be purchased from the grid when the price is low, and be sold back to the grid when the price is high The objective is to minimize the cost associated with net power purchase from the electric grid and the battery capacity loss while at the same time satisfying the load and reducing the peak electricity purchase from the grid Essentially, the objective function depends on the chosen battery size We want to find a unique critical value (denoted as Crefc ) of the battery size such that the total cost remains the same if the battery size is larger than or equal to Crefc, and the cost is strictly larger if the battery size is smaller than Crefc We obtain a criterion for evaluating the economic value of batteries compared to purchasing electricity from the grid, propose lower and upper bounds on Crefc, and introduce an efficient algorithm for calculating its value; these results are validated via simulations
321 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors considered a virtual power plant consisting of an intermittent source, a storage facility, and a dispatchable power plant, and casted the offering problem as a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer linear programming model.
TL;DR: In this paper, a meta-frontier non-radial directional distance function is proposed to model energy and CO2 emission performance in electricity generation, which allows for the consideration of the group heterogeneity of electricity generation.
21 Jul 2013
TL;DR: In this article, a multiobjective optimization method is proposed to visualize the trade-offs between three objective functions: voltage regulation, peak power reduction, and annual cost, applied to a near future scenario, based on a real residential feeder.
Abstract: This paper investigates the potential of using battery energy storage systems in the public low-voltage distribution grid, to defer upgrades needed to increase the penetration of photovoltaics (PV). A multiobjective optimization method is proposed to visualize the trade-offs between three objective functions: voltage regulation, peak power reduction, and annual cost. The method is applied to a near-future scenario, based on a real residential feeder. The results provide insight into the dimensioning and the required specifications of the battery and the inverter. It is found that an inverter without batteries already achieves part of the objectives. Therefore, the added value of batteries to an inverter is discussed. Furthermore, a comparison between lithium-ion and lead-acid battery technologies is presented.
TL;DR: In particular, photovoltaic (PV) systems have been skyrocketing over the last couple of years and about 1.2 million PV systems were installed, with a total installed peak capacity of more than 31 GWp as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Energy supply systems are facing significant changes in many countries around the globe. A good example of such a transformation is the German power system, where renewable energy sources (RESs) are now contributing 25% of the power needed to meet electricity demand, compared with 5% only 20 years ago. In particular, photovoltaic (PV) systems have been skyrocketing over the last couple of years. As of September 2012, about 1.2 million PV systems were installed, with a total installed peak capacity of more than 31 GWp. During some hours of 2012, PV already contributed about 40% of the peak power demand. It seems that Germany is well on the way to sourcing a major portion of its energy needs from solar installations. PV must therefore provide a full range of services to system operators so as to replace services provided by conventional bulk power plants.
TL;DR: Two strategies are proposed with the related design principles to control the new energy-stored qZSI when applied to the PV power system and prove the effectiveness of the proposed control of the inverter's input and output powers and battery power regardless of the charging or discharging situation.
Abstract: The quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) with battery operation can balance the stochastic fluctuations of photovoltaic (PV) power injected to the grid/load, but its existing topology has a power limitation due to the wide range of discontinuous conduction mode during battery discharge. This paper proposes a new topology of the energy-stored qZSI to overcome this disadvantage. The operating characteristic of the proposed solution is analyzed in detail and compared to that of the existing topology. Two strategies are proposed with the related design principles to control the new energy-stored qZSI when applied to the PV power system. They can control the inverter output power, track the PV panel's maximum power point, and manage the battery power, simultaneously. The voltage boost and inversion, and energy storage are integrated in a single-stage inverter. An experimental prototype is built to test the proposed circuit and the two discussed control methods. The obtained results verify the theoretical analysis and prove the effectiveness of the proposed control of the inverter's input and output powers and battery power regardless of the charging or discharging situation. A real PV panel is used in the grid-tie test of the proposed energy-stored qZSI, which demonstrates three operational modes suitable for application in the PV power system.
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative investigation of PV effect on system stability at different penetration levels is presented, where three different scenarios with their relevant dynamic models are considered, namely, distributed units, and centralized farms with and without voltage regulation capabilities.
Abstract: This paper presents a comparative investigation of (PV) effect on system stability at different penetration levels. Three different scenarios with their relevant dynamic models are considered, namely, distributed units, and centralized farms with and without voltage regulation capabilities. Based on these models, the impact is examined through eigenvalue, voltage stability and transient stability analyses using real network data pertaining to Ontario and its neighboring systems. This impact is quantized in monetary terms based on the long run marginal cost of electricity production in Ontario. It is demonstrated that distributed solar PV generators are significantly more advantageous, from the stability point of view, than solar farms.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the war of currents started in 1888 and George Westinghouse and Nikolai Tesla with the alternating current (ac) system were on one side and Thomas Edison and his dc distribution system on the other side.
Abstract: It has been over 100 years since Thomas Edison built the first direct current (dc) electricity supply system on 4 September 1882, at Pearl Street in New York City. Many prominent events occurred in the electricity supply industry after that. The first one, ?the war of currents,? started in 1888. Thomas Edison and his dc distribution system were on one side, and George Westinghouse and Nikolai Tesla with the alternating current (ac) system were on other side. The war ?ended? in about 1891 when ac won as the dominant power supply medium. The key behind the ac win was the invention of the transformer that could easily step up medium voltage to high and extra-high voltage for long-distance power transfer from a remote ac generation station to load centers hundreds of kilometers away with lower transmission losses. Transformers can also step down high voltage back to low voltage at load stations to supply the low-voltage equipment. Since the end of the war, ac power systems have been developed and expanded at a tremendous speed from the initial small isolated networks, with each supplying only lighting and motor loads with a few hundreds of customers, to its current scale of super interconnected networks each supplying billions of customers over large geographic areas in one or several countries. The voltage levels and capacities of transmission networks have increased from the first commercialized three-phase ac system with only 2.4 kV, 250 kW in the town of Redlands, California, United States, to the first commercial long-distance, ultra-high-voltage, ac transmission line in China with 1,000 kV, 2,000 MW. Transmission distance has been increased from several miles to over thousands of kilometers (miles). With such major achievements, it is little wonder that the ac power system became the top engineering achievement of the 20th century. Does this mean that dc is gone? The answer is an unambiguous no. What has happened in the past 50 years, such as applications of advanced control technologies in conventional power system loads, the power electronics based high-voltage dc (HVdc) transmission, and the additional renewable power sources in low-voltage distribution system, calls for a rethink about dc and ac in electricity supply systems.
TL;DR: In this paper, a feasibility study of an autonomous hybrid wind/photovoltaics (PV)/battery power system for a household in Urumqi, China, has been carried out using Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) simulation software.
TL;DR: A novel methodology for home area energy management as a key vehicle for demand response, using electricity storage devices, is developed to enable energy storage at consumer premises to not only take advantage of lower wholesale energy prices, but also to support low voltage distribution networks for reducing network investment.
Abstract: In a deregulated market, wholesale energy costs and distribution investment costs contribute significantly to consumers' electricity bills. However, in a low carbon electrical power system, the two cost pressure points may not be synchronous in time and space with each other. This paper develops a novel methodology for home area energy management as a key vehicle for demand response, using electricity storage devices. The aim is to enable energy storage at consumer premises to not only take advantage of lower wholesale energy prices, but also to support low voltage (LV) distribution networks for reducing network investment. New operation strategies for domestic energy storage to facilitate demand response (DR) are developed in the paper. They have the capability to maximize the overall savings in energy costs and investment costs. In the proposed approach, the operation of home-area energy storage devices is jointly conducted by end customers and network operators. The purpose is to fight for an optimal balance between DRs to energy price and to network congestion, and thus to maximize benefits for both consumers and network operators. An intensive study is carried out to investigate the impacts of different dispatch strategies on wholesale energy costs and network investment costs. Benefit quantification methods are introduced as well to evaluate the total benefits in terms of savings in energy costs and investment costs that can be brought along by the proposed operation approach. The demonstration is carried out on two practical distribution networks with varying utilization levels for one typical calendar day and a whole year.
TL;DR: In this paper, a hierarchical dynamic decoupling of generation, distribution, and consumption by using bidirectional electronic power converters as energy control centers is discussed. But, the authors do not consider the potential for the use of new power electronics technologies in electrical energy generation and consumption.
Abstract: Anticipated widespread usage of new power electronics technologies in electrical energy generation and consumption is expected to provide major efficiency improvements, while the deployment of smart grid technologies should improve the utilization and availability of electricity. This paper explores possible relationships between these two trends. Starting from an analysis of current and expected trends in the generation, transport, and consumption of electrical energy, this paper contemplates possible future ac and dc electronic power distribution system architectures, especially in the presence of renewable energy sources. The proposed nanogrid-microgrid-E-grid structure achieves hierarchical dynamic decoupling of generation, distribution, and consumption by using bidirectional electronic power converters as energy control centers. Several possible directions for modeling, analysis, and system-level design of such systems, including power flow control, protection, stability, and subsystem interactions, are briefly discussed.
TL;DR: Three coordinated wind-PEV energy dispatching approaches in the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) context are exploited, i.e., valley searching, interruptible and variable-rate energy dispatch, aiming to promote the user demand response through optimizing the utilization efficiency of wind power generation as well as meeting the dynamic power demands.
Abstract: The integration of a massive number of small-scale wind turbines and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) brought about urgent technical challenge to power distribution network operators (DNOs) in terms of secure power supply and energy dispatching optimization. In this paper, we exploited three coordinated wind-PEV energy dispatching approaches in the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) context, i.e., valley searching, interruptible and variable-rate energy dispatching, aiming to promote the user demand response through optimizing the utilization efficiency of wind power generation as well as meeting the dynamic power demands. This issue is addressed in a stochastic framework considering the uncertainties of wind power generation as well as the statistical PEV driving patterns. The performances of the proposed solutions are assessed through a comparative study through numerical simulation experiments covering sufficient system scenarios by the use of scenario generation and reduction techniques. The result demonstrates that the energy dispatch based on the latter two approaches can achieve better matching between power generation and demands as well as PEV user satisfaction. In addition, the suggested approaches can be adopted by DNOs in practice with minimal deployment hurdles to promote the energy supplies within microgrid with wind power sources and PEVs.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the performance of the primary frequency control in a wind turbine controller and derived the potential of the obtained grid service at partial load at an islanded power system.
Abstract: Grid operational challenges are significant to increase securely the wind penetration level. New embedded control functions are therefore required in order to make participate wind generators in power system management. In this paper the implementation of inertial response and primary frequency control in a wind turbine controller are investigated. Main factors affecting the performances of the frequency regulation are identified and characterized. The influence of control parameters and the turbine operating point on the inertial response are analyzed through obtained performances in an islanded power system. The combined control scheme using both controllers is also developed and the potential of the obtained grid service at partial load is discussed.
TL;DR: This paper proposes the necessary adaptations to include the input of EV aggregation to electricity markets, which permits the scheduling of EV charging and services in coordination with the system operator thus enhancing the power system's efficiency and security while reducing its environmental impact.
Abstract: In response to the need for the decarbonization of the transport sector, it is expected that large fleets of electric vehicles (EVs) will constitute an important share of the electricity demand. This evolution is likely to be accompanied by a parallel evolution of the electricity supply business with the deployment of smart grid technologies. As a consequence, it is expected that demand will feature higher potential for communication and control, which will enable its active participation in the daily operational planning of power systems. In particular, EVs being equipped with a battery can both defer their demand or inject electricity back into the system. However, to achieve volumes that can have an impact on the system, these demands need to be aggregated and operated as an ensemble. This paper proposes the necessary adaptations to include the input of EV aggregation to electricity markets. This permits the scheduling of EV charging and services in coordination with the system operator thus enhancing the power system's efficiency and security while reducing its environmental impact. Results show that the EVs penetration levels that the system would be able to absorb without requiring expansion of the supply side, are significantly increased when coordination over their charging schedule is performed.
TL;DR: In this article, the control strategy of generating system is enhanced with VDE-AR-N 4105 and BDEW grid code, where both active/reactive powers are controlled.
Abstract: In the last couple of years, the increasing penetration of renewable energy resulted in the development of grid-connected large-scale power plants. However, a high penetration harbors the risk of grid instability if the generating power plants are not able to support the grid. Therefore, grid stabilization, which depends on the system-type or grid of each country, plays an important role and has been strengthened by different grid codes. With this background, VDE-AR-N 4105 for photovoltaic (PV) systems connected to the low-voltage grid and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) introduced the medium-voltage grid code for connecting power plants to the grid and they are the most stringent certifications. In this paper, the control strategy of generating system is enhanced with VDE-AR-N 4105 and BDEW grid code, where both active/reactive powers are controlled. Simulation and experimental results of 100-kW PV inverter are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed implemental control strategy.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate distributed energy storage as one such strategy, which augments the usual formulation by adding simple charge/discharge dynamics for energy storage collocated with load and/or generation buses cast as a finite-time optimal control problem.
Abstract: Restructuring of the electric power industry along with mandates to integrate renewable energy sources is introducing new challenges for the electric power system. Intermittent power sources, in particular, require mitigation strategies in order to maintain consistent power on the electric grid. We investigate distributed energy storage as one such strategy. Our model for optimal power flow with storage augments the usual formulation by adding simple charge/discharge dynamics for energy storage collocated with load and/or generation buses cast as a finite-time optimal control problem. We first propose a solution strategy that uses a convex optimization based relaxation to solve the optimal control problem. We then use this framework to illustrate the effects of various levels of energy storage using the topology of IEEE benchmark systems along with both time-invariant and demand-based cost functions. The addition of energy storage and demand-based cost functions significantly reduces the generation costs and flattens the generation profiles.
TL;DR: This paper considers VPPs as coalitions of wind generators and electric vehicles, where wind generators seek to use electric vehicles (EVs) as a storage medium to overcome the vagaries of generation.
Abstract: Wind power is gaining in significance as an important renewable source of clean energy. However, due to their inherent uncertainty, wind generators are often unable to participate in the forward electricity markets like the more predictable and controllable conventional generators. Given this, virtual power plants (VPPs) are being advocated as a solution for increasing the reliability of such intermittent renewable sources. In this paper, we take this idea further by considering VPPs as coalitions of wind generators and electric vehicles, where wind generators seek to use electric vehicles (EVs) as a storage medium to overcome the vagaries of generation. Using electric vehicles in this manner has the advantage that, since the number of EVs is increasing rapidly, no initial investment in dedicated storage is needed. In more detail, we first formally model the VPP and then, through an operational model based on linear programming, we show how the supply to the Grid and storage in the EV batteries can be scheduled to increase the profit of the VPP, while also paying for the storage using a novel scheme. The feasibility of our approach is examined through a realistic case-study, using real wind power generation data, corresponding electricity market prices and electric vehicles' characteristics.
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential to improve the balance between the electricity use for heating and local electricity production of a nearly zero energy building (nZEB) by active use of structural thermal storage capacity of the building was evaluated.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors quantified the benefits of optimal transmission grid extensions for Europe up to 2050 by iterating an investment and dispatch optimization model with a load flow based grid model, and found that large grid extensions, allowing the full exploitation of the most favorable RES-E sites throughout Europe, are beneficial from a least-cost perspective.
TL;DR: In this article, a unified model for bidirectional converters is proposed to avoid transitions between two separate models, and a simulation platform using the derived models is developed for the system-level analysis of hybrid electric ships.
Abstract: DC hybrid power systems are of interest for future low emission, fuel-efficient vessels. In spite of the advantages they offer onboard a ship, they result in a complex, interconnected system, which requires effective analysis tools to enable a full realization of the advantages. Modeling and simulation are essential tools to facilitate design, analysis, and optimization of the system. This paper reviews modeling of hybrid electric ship components including mechanical and electrical elements. Power electronic converters are modeled by nonlinear averaging methods to suit system-level studies. A unified model for bidirectional converters is proposed to avoid transitions between two separate models. A simulation platform using the derived models is developed for the system-level analysis of hybrid electric ships. Simulation results of power sharing among two diesel generators, a fuel cell module, and an energy storage system are presented for three modes of operation.
TL;DR: This paper presents simulated results on the percentage of time throughout the year during which a large-scale PV+ES plant operates properly with different ES ratings and according to different configurations of this EMS.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the minimum energy capacity ratings that an energy-storage (ES) system should accomplish in order to achieve a defined constant power production in a photovoltaic (PV) power plant. ES is a key issue for the further integration of intermittent and stochastic renewable energy sources, which are not currently dispatchable due to their dependence on real-time weather conditions, as is the case of PV technology. This paper proposes and describes an energy management strategy (EMS) for operating PV power plants with ES in the future. The goal of this EMS is to endow these power plants with a constant production that can be controlled and hence traded on electricity markets. This paper presents simulated results on the percentage of time throughout the year during which a large-scale PV+ES plant operates properly with different ES ratings and according to different configurations of this EMS. Finally, a test bench was developed, and experimental results validating this EMS were obtained.