Optimal operation and hydro storage sizing of a wind–hydro power plant

Ambitious targets for renewable power production have been defined for the electric power systems in Europe. The accomplishment of these targets requires the increase in renewable energy production, namely from wind power generation. However, the intermittent nature of wind creates several problems to the power system operation and new approaches based on the combined use of wind power and energy storage technologies need to be developed. In this paper, the concept of the combined use of wind power production and hydro storage/production is exploited, through the development of an operational optimisation approach applied to a wind generator park with little water storage ability. The optimisation model defines the operational strategy to be followed for the hours ahead by a pump station and an hydraulic generator embedded in a wind/hydro pumping facility, using the Portuguese energy remuneration rules. The proposed methodology leads to considerable yearly profits for the wind generator production.