NaS battery storage system modeling and sizing for extending wind farms performance in Crete

Crete Island has significant natural resources when it comes to wind and solar energy. Likewise other European territories, renewable sources already are being explored for power production. Currently, a large amount of wind energy on Crete is curtailed during certain daily periods as a result of reduced demand and minimum operating levels of thermal generators. Reducing curtailment losses requires additional sources of flexibility in the grid, and electric energy storage is one of them. This paper address wind generation losses minimization through the storage of wind energy surplus. Sodium Sulfur (NaS) battery modeling is used in this study and an energy time-shift storage scheme is implemented to assess the overall storage system performance. The obtained results are supported on real data of renewable resources (wind and solar), conventional power production and demand of Crete Island in 2011. Conclusions are duly drawn.