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Publications

Publications by Sofia Varotto

2024

Optimal Sizing and Energy Management of Battery Energy Storage Systems for Hybrid Offshore Farms

Authors
Varotto, S; Trovato, V; Kazemi Robati, E; Silva, B;

Publication
2024 IEEE 22ND MEDITERRANEAN ELECTROTECHNICAL CONFERENCE, MELECON 2024

Abstract
This paper investigates the financial benefits stemming from the potential installation of battery energy storage systems behind the meter of a hybrid offshore farm including wind turbines and floating photovoltaic panels. The optimal investment and operation decisions concerning the energy storage system in the hybrid site are assessed by means of a mixed integer linear programming optimization model. The operation is also subject to technical constraints such as limitations on the connection capacity and ramping constraints imposed by the grid operator at the point of common coupling. Three design configurations for the battery system are analysed: I) offshore with the hybrid farm, II) onshore where the grid connection point is, III) both offshore and onshore. The results indicate the financial value of installing battery storage units, and other benefits deriving from this investment, as the reduction of curtailment.

2025

Multiobjective energy management of multi-source offshore parks assisted with hybrid battery and hydrogen/fuel-cell energy storage systems

Authors
Kazemi-Robati, E; Varotto, S; Silva, B; Temiz, I;

Publication
APPLIED ENERGY

Abstract
With the recent advancements in the development of hybrid offshore parks and the expected large-scale implementation of them in the near future, it becomes paramount to investigate proper energy management strategies to improve the integrability of these parks into the power systems. This paper addresses a multiobjective energy management approach using a hybrid energy storage system comprising batteries and hydrogen/fuel-cell systems applied to multi-source wind-wave and wind-solar offshore parks to maximize the delivered energy while minimizing the variations of the power output. To find the solution of the optimization problem defined for energy management, a strategy is proposed based on the examination of a set of weighting factors to form the Pareto front while the problem associated with each of them is assessed in a mixed-integer linear programming framework. Subsequently, fuzzy decision making is applied to select the final solution among the ones existing in the Pareto front. The studies are implemented in different locations considering scenarios for electrical system limitation and the place of the storage units. According to the results, applying the proposed multiobjective framework successfully addresses the enhancement of energy delivery and the decrease in power output fluctuations in the hybrid offshore parks across all scenarios of electrical system limitation and combinational storage locations. Based on the results, in addition to the increase in delivered energy, a decrease in power variations by around 40 % up to over 80 % is observed in the studied cases.

2025

Delivering energy from hybridised offshore wind-wave parks considering electricity and hydrogen options: an optimisation approach

Authors
Varotto, S; Kazemi-Robati, E; Silva, B;

Publication
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GRIDS & NETWORKS

Abstract
Research around the co-location of different renewable energy technologies in offshore sites is increasing due to the potential complementarity of different sources that could decrease the power output variability, and increase reliability. However, further decrease of the power fluctuations and higher economic profitability could be achieved with energy storage. In this work, a model is developed for optimal sizing and energy management of energy storage and delivery solutions to accommodate the hybridisation of an offshore wind park. A set of options is considered for energy storage: the integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS), hydrogen production for direct sale or hydrogen/fuel cell system. For energy delivery, an expansion of the transmission cable, hydrogen pipeline or transportation by ship is evaluated. The case study used to test the model is the offshore farm WindFloat Atlantic located near the coast of Viana do Castelo, Portugal, which is proposed to be hybridised with wave energy converters (WEC). Sensitivity analyses are performed on possible components' cost variations, hydrogen shipping frequency or sale price. The results show that hydrogen production from the studied offshore hybrid park is profitable, and the transmission through submarine pipeline is competitive with electrical connections by cable. The highest profitability is achieved when pipeline and cable expansion are combined. Hydrogen transportation by ship also appears profitable, in the eventuality that additional submarine transmission facilities cannot be installed.