Energy storage requirements for Canadian photovoltaic power plants

Why is energy storage important in photovoltaic power plants?

Energy storage can play an essential role in large scale photovoltaic power plants for complying with the current and future standards (grid codes) or for providing market oriented services. But not all the energy storage technologies are valid for all these services.

Should energy storage be integrated with large scale PV power plants?

As a solution, the integration of energy storage within large scale PV power plants can help to comply with these challenging grid code requirements 1. Accordingly, ES technologies can be expected to be essential for the interconnection of new large scale PV power plants.

What are the photovoltaic ready guidelines?

The Photovoltaic Ready Guidelines are specifically targeted towards the installation of PV modules and components as tested and/or certified according to relevant Canadian Standards Association (CSA) test standards; and as installed by qualified installers. For more information on relevant CSA test standards, see Section III, Part 7.

Can energy storage technologies be used in Canada?

While energy storage technologies are still at a relatively early stage of deployment in Canada, many energy storage technologies are either already in operation or in development. The electricity produced by wind energy and solar energy can be converted and stored through various means:

How to maximize solar energy production in Canada?

Generally, Canadian rooftop solar PV energy production is maximized with azimuth as close to true South as possible and roof pitch angle somewhere between latitude and latitude-15°. Builders and architects often wonder whether changes to roof orientation and/or pitch to maximize solar PV energy production are justified.

Do PV power plants need a power reserve?

In the case of large scale PV power plants, grid codes are currently being updated including challenging active power control requirements . In the UK , power reserves are specifically required for providing under-frequency regulation.