Infinity, a small-scale prototype for firm-PV generation

The "Infinity" prototype is a small-scale flexible photovoltaic system (f-PV) designed to experimentally validate the concept of firm PV generation, ensuring a stable and dispatchable power output from solar energy. The system is built around two key principles: PV overbuilding and curtailment of excess energy. By oversizing the PV generation capacity relative to the load, the system reduces the need for large battery storage, instead curtailing surplus energy when the battery is fully charged. This approach enhances grid integration and improves the economic feasibility of firm PV generation. Technically, the Infinity prototype consists of a 1.815 kWp PV system (three 605 Wp bifacial modules), a 5 kWh lithium battery with BMS, a smart inverter, and a programmable DC load emulator. The power flows are dynamically managed through MatLab, updating the requested load value every minute. When PV production exceeds the energy demand and the battery reaches full charge, excess energy is fed into the grid to simulate curtailment. The system’s flexibility allows for testing different load profiles and storage configurations, making it a versatile platform to investigate storage/PV capacity ratios and their impact on firm PV generation. Infinity represents an important step forward from previous numerical studies on the feasibility of firm PV generation, previously conducted for the Lazio Region and the Engineering Macro-Area of the University of Rome Tor Vergata. The prototype provides a real-world testbed to validate theoretical findings and assess the effectiveness of different control strategies under actual operating conditions. Initial results from its first days of operation confirm that the system effectively meets power demands under varying weather conditions. The battery exhibits satisfactory charge times, and curtailment dynamics mostly align with expectations. Further testing will explore the system’s resilience and optimization strategies for broader applications in sustainable energy integration.