Vanadium-redox flow and lithium-ion battery modelling and performance in wind energy applications

As wind energy penetration levels increase, there is a growing interest in using storage devices to aid in managing the fluctuations in wind turbine output power. Vanadium-Redox batteries (VRB) and Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) batteries are two emerging technologies which can provide power smoothing in wind energy systems. However, there is an apparent gap when it comes to the data available regarding the design, integration and operation of these batteries in wind systems. This thesis presents suitable battery electrical models which will be used to assess system performance in wind energy applications, including efficiency under various operating conditions, transfer characteristics and transient operation. A design, sizing and testing methodology for battery integration in converter based systems is presented. Recommendations for the development of operating strategies are then provided based on the obtained results.