What is a hybrid power plant?

1. Hybrid power plants utilize two or more technologies to generate energy, with most incorporating solar and/or wind power, along with energy storage systems. Source: Shutterstock “Our domestic power plants are staring down at a tsunami of demand from several channels.

What is a hybrid plant?

A hybrid plant is a facility incorporating two or more technologies, such as solar plus energy storage, or energy storage at a natural gas–fired power station. While the definition of a hybrid plant is simple, deployment of these systems can be complex.

How many solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid plants are there in 2022?

The group in a September presentation discussed its most recent data, which showed that more than 200 solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid plants were deployed across the U.S. at the end of 2022, comprising about 4 GW of energy storage capacity and 12.5 GWh of storage energy.

Should utilities promote hybrid power plants?

Dr. Harish Sarma Krishnamoorthy, an associate professor at the University of Houston in the electrical and computer engineering department, said utilities should be promoting the design and development of hybrid power plants, including VPPs, as a way to increase power generation without large infrastructure investments.

Should we invest in hybrid plants?

As Krishnamoorthy noted, investments in hybrid plants are seen as a way to provide more power to the grid without the need for building new utility-scale facilities, or for making major investments in transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure.

Are energy storage systems in demand?

Energy storage systems are increasingly in demand to increase the effectiveness of solar power arrays, with the Energy Information Administration estimating in February that new utility-scale electric-generating capacity on the U.S. power grid will hit a record in 2025 after a 30% increase over the prior year.