Hybrid Variable Renewable Power Plants: A Case Study of ROR Hydro Arbitrage

Isabel Catarino (), Inês Romão and Ana Estanqueiro
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Isabel Catarino: LIBPhys-UNL, Department of Physics, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Inês Romão: LIBPhys-UNL, Department of Physics, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Ana Estanqueiro: LNEG—Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, 1649-038 Lisboa, Portugal

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: Wind and solar energy sources, while sustainable, are inherently variable in their power generation, posing challenges to grid stability due to their non-dispatchable nature. To address this issue, this study explores the synergistic optimization of wind and solar photovoltaic resources to mitigate power output variability, reducing the strain on local grids and lessening the reliance on balancing power in high-penetration renewable energy systems. This critical role of providing stability can be effectively fulfilled by run-of-river hydropower plants, which can complement fluctuations without compromising their standard operational capabilities. In this research, we employ a straightforward energy balance model to analyze the feasibility of a 100 MW virtual hybrid power plant, focusing on the northern region of Portugal as a case study. Leveraging actual consumption and conceptual production data, our investigation identifies a specific run-of-river plant that aligns with the proposed strategy, demonstrating the practical applicability of this approach.

Keywords: wind power; solar photovoltaic power; variable renewable energy systems (vRES); renewable generation complementarity; renewable deployment scenarios; renewable large-scale integration; hybrid central; virtual central power; ROR storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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