Big Batteries Won’t Suffice for Wind, Solar Fluctuation – Report
Online energy report StopTheseThings has stated in its latest analysis that contrary to widely held beliefs, big batteries will not be able to cope with the energy storage levels needed to stand in during intermittent fluctuations by wind and solar-generated power.
Quoting a research study published in the Energy & Environmental Journal by Paul Miskelly, batteries cannot store grid-scale electricity cost-effectively. “The laws of physics are something that can’t be overcome by wishing and hoping.” MIskelly argues that due to the astronomical volume of storage required to deal with bursts of “dead calm weather” and the daily regular occurrence of sunset, reliance on this form of generation will lead to even increased consumption of fossil fuels.
Wind Farms in Eastern Australia
The paper, titled “Wind Farms in Eastern Australia – Recent Lessons” reported the results of the examination of 5-minute time-averaged wind farm operational data for 21 large wind farms connected to the eastern Australian grid. “A scrutiny of the available wind farm operational data shows that, on the eastern Australian grid, it is not possible for wind energy ever to displace dispatchable, reliable generation supplying the base load demand. In this regard, an examination of the graphs clearly indicates that the proposal by some Australian policymakers to replace major coal-fired power stations with a fleet of wind farms is not technically achievable.
“Additionally, the analysis shows that further increased wind penetration, even if spread evenly across the eastern Australian grid, will result in an increasing contribution to grid instability, potentially making wind energy an increasing threat to grid operational security and reliability. To continue a policy strategy to increase wind penetration across the eastern Australian grid, to seek to meet a target of some 20% installed capacity, as has already been achieved in South Australia, (with the presumption that wind may thereby meet 20% of base load requirements), has the potential to be a dangerous strategy.”
The paper concluded that to address the increased instability of wind, a fleet of fast-acting open cycle gas turbine generation plant (OCGT) might be required to back up the intermittency of wind.
