Achieving More Efficient Energy Generation by Complexes on the Basis of Hydropower Resources with the Possibility of Energy Storage during Operation as Part of Autonomous Power Supply Systems

Abstract

The possibility of achieving more efficient electricity generation by energy complexes on the basis of hydropower resources with predominantly using them in autonomous power supply systems is analyzed. The choice of daily amount of electricity production as a criterion for estimating the energy complex performance is substantiated. Methods for improving the generation efficiency are considered, such as daily load profile optimization, also when there is a buffer energy storage in the power system; combined generation of electricity; extremum seeking control of hydroelectric power units and maneuverable hydroelectric power units in the operation modes of micro pumped storage hydroelectric (microPSH) power plants, as well as electrochemical energy storage units, and their combinations. Special attention is paid to extremum seeking control implementation methods for various types of electric generators, which make it possible to increase the daily amount of electricity generated by both newly developed and existing complexes on the basis of hydropower resources without introducing significant changes in the design layout with taking into account stabilization of the autonomous electric network parameters. A new simpler and more accurate extremum seeking control method by monitoring mechanical rather than electrical parameters is proposed. To confirm the theoretical hypotheses on implementing extremum seeking control, field experiment data are given and analyzed, which testify that the proposed method is well grounded and highly efficient in nature. The costs of electricity in using different methods for storing it and for achieving better efficiency of its generation are compared, and versions of their combined use are considered. It has been confirmed that there is a significant potential for achieving more efficient electricity generation with the use of hydropower resources, and practical methods for achieving this aim are described.