Multilevel energy storage for intermittent wind power conversion: computer system analogies

Wind power conversion is renewable, environmentally friendly and increasingly competitive in terms of cost power output, however, is intermittent as it is a function of the wind speed. The problem of intermittency can be solved by providing energy storage capability. In this paper, it is discussed how experience from computer system design can be used to devise an effective energy storage system. The result is a multilevel storage integrating devices of complementary strengths regarding speed of access to the stored energy and cost per unit of stored energy.