Smoothing and firming

What is smoothing
and firming?

Smoothing and firming is an energy

storage system (ESS) function intended
to prevent sudden sags or surges in the
power supplied to customers. The stored
energy smoothes out the variable output
from wind and solar plant, keeping pro-
How does smoothing differ
duction within a given forecast window.
from ramp rate control?
Smoothing and firming is closely allied to ramp
rate control as they both compensate for short
term variation of the PV or wind plant output.
The difference is that while ramp rate control
slows down the speed of variation, it is not able
to compensate for a lack (or excess of capacity).
In contrast, for smoothing and firming the ESS
compensates for power sags and surges.

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ENERGY STORAGE ESSENTIALS 3

How are smoothing and firming
specified?
Typically, forecasting of wind and solar generation
is done in time steps of 30 minutes.
The ESS ensures that the delivered power during
a 30 minutes’ period is within a tolerance band of
the forecast.

This can be expressed:

• either in kWh, i.e. the amount of energy
delivered within the forecast step, typically with
a tolerance band of +/- 10 to 15% versus
forecast
• or in kW, i.e. the power level of the plant,
typically with a larger tolerance band of
+/- 15-30% versus forecast.

Similarly, to ramp rate control, the ESS will

experience many small to medium charge
and discharge cycles with a cumulated energy
throughput equivalent to several full charge and
discharge cycles per day.
Further reading
The following news stories and case studies
explain how Saft’s Li-ion energy storage
technology is providing smoothing and firming
in real-world projects:

Smoothing and firming

benefits
Smoothing grid integration
In both cases, the plant is now able to deliver for Acciona Energia read me
a “firm” (i.e. less fluctuating and predictable) – Acciona case study
level of power and amount of energy to the
grid. This increases the quality of the Harnessing wind power
delivered power. in Saskatchewan read me

– Cowessess case study

To go further, Saft contact:

www.saftbatteries.com

mailto : ttg_sales@saftbatteries.com

Document N° 21983-0418-2 - Edition: April 2018

Photo credits: Saft, Acciona Energia, Adobe Stock Images -Agency: Cap Interactif
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