In this information-packed webinar, our SCADA team shares their extensive experience and practical insights on effectively integrating utility-scale solar PV with battery energy storage systems (BESS) to create high-performing hybrid power plants.
Through real-world project examples and in-depth technical discussions, we demonstrate how a well-designed plant control system can optimize the operation of solar+storage hybrids to provide essential grid reliability services, firm capacity, and renewable energy time-shifting while navigating the complexities of market participation models and grid interconnection requirements.
We also highlighted best practices for control system architecture, component integration, and model-based design that reduce project risks and maximize asset owner returns over the plant lifecycle.
Key Takeaways:
- Hybrid solar+storage plants can provide a full suite of grid services that conventional generators do, such as voltage regulation, active power control, frequency response, spinning reserve, and automatic generation control (AGC). Combining the capabilities of PV and BESS allows hybrids to deliver clean, firm, and flexible capacity.
- The plant control system, featuring a fast-acting power plant controller (PPC), is critical for coordinating the PV and BESS to meet grid operator performance requirements at the point of interconnection (POI) while optimizing energy capture, time-shifting, and revenue stacking. Key integration points include the PV controller, BESS energy management system (EMS), and battery management system (BMS).
- Hybrid plants can participate in markets as either co-located resources with separate dispatch instructions for PV and BESS or as a single hybrid resource with an aggregated dispatch. The PPC must handle both scenarios and the transitions between them. Accurate short-term solar forecasting enables optimal dispatch strategies.
- DC-coupled solar+storage configurations can reduce costs but require careful design and control to manage the shared interconnection capacity and DC-DC converters for the batteries. AC-coupled designs offer more flexibility but may have higher equipment costs. Upfront system modeling and simulation de-risk the integration.
- The BESS EMS is vital for managing battery state of charge (SOC), health, and safety while executing energy and power commands from the PPC. Intelligent EMS algorithms can minimize battery cycling, balance charge across multiple containers, and extend asset life. Remote monitoring and diagnostics enable condition-based maintenance.
- Scalable and secure SCADA platforms based on open standards facilitate efficient plant operations, grid compliance reporting, and performance analysis. Role-based access control and cybersecurity measures are essential for protecting the critical infrastructure.
- With 5+ GWh of hybrid solar+storage projects worldwide and a highly experienced team from leading renewable energy firms, we have pioneered advanced control solutions that maximize plant performance, reliability, and profitability. Our model-based design process and hardware-in-the-loop testing capabilities accelerate project timelines.
About the Presenters
Mahesh Morjaria, Ph.D.
EVP, Plant Operational Technology
Mahesh leads Terabase’s operational technology group, delivering SCADA, controls and related solutions for solar and hybrid fuel source systems. Prior to Terabase, Mahesh co-founded REPlantSolutions which provided advanced solar plant technologies and know-how developed at First Solar. He led utility-scale solar R&D and grid integration at First Solar for nearly a decade. With his prior experience at GE, he brings years of advanced technology, engineering and product expertise in the energy sector. Mahesh holds M.S. & Ph.D. degrees in Engineering from Cornell University.
Rajni Burra, Ph.D.
VP, Plant Operational Technology
Rajni leads Plant Controls Product Management for Terabase’s new Operational Technology group, delivering SCADA, controls and related solutions for solar and hybrid fuel source systems. Previously, Rajni co-founded REPlantSolutions which provided advanced solar plant technologies and know-how developed at First Solar. He led Controls and Hybrid Technologies teams at First Solar and GE for more than a decade. He has authored 27 papers and appears on 39 patents. Rajni has a B. Tech from IIT Kharagpur, and a M.S. & Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago.