Energy storage for offshore wind with innovative converter control

The Novel Control and Energy Storage for Offshore Wind study, investigates the deployment of a storage system with innovative control to the onshore substation of an offshore wind farm – to improve grid stability and reduce the cost of offshore wind.

Novel Control and Energy Storage for Offshore Wind report cover

Overview

Power systems globally are seeing increasing penetration of power electronics interfaced generation. A significant proportion of this generation will be converter interfaced, reducing the overall percentage of synchronous generation connected to the electricity system. This poses a stability challenge given that many stability requirements (including inertia and black start) have been traditionally provided by synchronous generation. Motivated by this challenge, this Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) study investigated the addition of a storage system with innovative converter control to the onshore substation of an AC-connected offshore wind farm.

The primary objectives of the study were to:

  • Improve understanding of available technologies, control approaches and their ability to provide grid services.
  • Use cost-benefit analysis to inform the investment case for installing these technologies at a range of typical sites.
  • Understand the route to market for these systems including required Grid Code changes, ownership rules and dispatch considerations.
  • Develop a roadmap for future investigation including potential simulation and demonstration projects.
Publication date: Jan 2022

Key findings

The investigation found two key findings for the integration of energy storage with converter control into the electricity system: 

  • An investment case exists for the implementation of energy storage with converter control for offshore wind in the United Kingdom.
  • There is a unique combination of challenges to integrate this technology. This includes the adoption of new commercial arrangements, provision of emerging grid services, and the development of new technologies. 


Related links

Zoning in on Net Zero: Driving the winds of change in offshore wind

Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA)

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