Utility scale PV plant variability and energy storage for ramp rate control

Balancing authorities are currently exploring options for transferring the additional ramping costs of conventional generators in the grid back to the variable energy resources using the principle of cost causation. In this paper, we present a characterization of short-term variability in power output of seven large-scale PV plants in the United States and Canada with a total installed capacity of 445 MW (AC). In addition, we will present a methodology for investigating the use of energy storage for cloud-induced ramp rate control, which is developed with time-series PV plant power output.