Optimizing the grid connection of Hybrid PV and wind power plants

In order to economically optimize the grid connection of a hybrid renewable power plant consisting of photovoltaic (PV) generation and wind turbines, the simultaneity of production from both energy sources should be taken into account. In this work, high-resolution feed-in data from such a hybrid power plant was recorded and evaluated. The results allow for an estimation of maximum energy curtailment in case of an undersized point of common coupling (PCC). Additionally, it is shown how the ratio between the PV and the wind part of a hybrid power plant influences the required dimensioning of the PCC for determined accepted levels of energy curtailment. Finally, a cost comparison for a specific curtailment scenario is performed, demonstrating that it can be economically beneficial to accept curtailment in exchange for a reduced transformer size.