ADVANTAGES OF HYBRID SYSTEM OVER SEPARATE WIND AND SOLAR GENERATING FACILITIES
- A single prime mover – generator and substation
- No need for electric transmission connection to the wind farm (only to the Expandera-generator),
- Wind turbine gear box requirements are greatly simplified (since the speed/torque characteristics of a wind turbine rotor are better matched to an air compressor than a generator).
- No need for natural gas or an industrial waste heat source.
- No need for cooling water (solar thermal plants typically use steam as working fluid so condenser cooling water is needed).
- Also, since wind energy production in West Texas tends to be higher in winter and spring, and solar is highest in summer months, seasonal fluctuations in energy supply tend to even out when the two sources are combined in an integrated system.
