Optimal mix of wind-solar PV hybrid power plant with minimum variability

The variable nature of wind and solar will be a challenge for any grid which is not supported with enough flexibility. This issue of variability can be resolved to some extent through utilization of complementary nature of these two resources, which may be better achieved by having optimal mix of these resources. This paper addresses the optimal mix of wind and solar PV capacities for wind-solar PV hybrid power plant subject to constraint of minimum variability in its output power generation, while increasing its mean power output and base load power generation compared to ‘equal distribution’ scenario. This is being addressed through moving-window optimization method, utilizing historical wind and solar PV output power generation data. Based on practical data in Karnataka State system in India, case study has been performed for 42.5 MW wind-solar PV hybrid power plant and it resulted in optimal mix of 22.22 MW and 20.28 MW respectively for wind and solar PV.