Optimizing wind–solar hybrid power plant configurations by considering complementarity and capacitor factor to enhance energy production

The intermittent nature of wind and solar sources poses a complex challenge to grid operators in forecasting electrical energy production. Numerous studies have shown that the combination of sources with complementary characteristics could make a significant contribution to mitigating the variability of energy production over time. This article aims to evaluate the optimal configuration of a hybrid plant through the total variation complementarity index and the capacity factor, determining the best amounts of each source to be installed. The authors present case studies considering two locations in Brazil, and investigate the delicate balance between these two proposed objectives. The aim is to demonstrate different scenarios and discuss ways to ensure smoother production and higher efficiency in using the transmission infrastructure. The article also presents a resizing methodology for existing wind plants, showing how to hybridize the plant and increase its nominal capacity without renegotiating transmission contracts. The results suggest that implementing a wind–solar hybrid power plant requires a careful balance between the two proposed objectives. While complementarity does not necessarily ensure the highest possible capacity factor for the location, it does ensure that the transmission infrastructure is used more efficiently and the power dispatched at the connection point is smoother.