Optimization of photovoltaic plant capacity with battery storage for injection into main network: Case of Illoulofin solar plant in Benin

Abstract

population growth in developing countries is not in accordance with energy infrastructure development. To meet the growing demand for electrical energy, Benin has opted to integrate green energy to increase its energy capacity. Thus, a 25 MWp solar photovoltaic power plant has been set up and whose energy will be injected directly into the conventional grid without storage. This intermittent character of the plant causes a certain deficit in the production at certain times of the day with respect to the load. It is therefore necessary to add storage devices to suplly power when there is lack. This work aimed at minimizing the percentage of deficit and maximizing the storage capacity of the plant. In order to supply power at the maximum energy consumption time, we consider using lithium batteries for the considered zone We employ Particule Swarm optimization method (PSO) to solve for the expansion coefficient and maximum stage capacity of the bank. The results show that in order to reduce the deficit, an extension of the photovoltaic field should be made in addition to the energy storage system to be integrated. This also increases the amount of generated energy injected into the grid as opposed to that received from the grid.