Using HOMER Front, we can calculate the optimal sizing, cost, and capacity of the Storage Converter necessary when adding a Storage component. The Storage DC/DC Converter is an optional way to model the inefficiency, costs, and total capacity.
Sizing
Specify the total capacity of the Storage DC/DC converter in MW. Click the (+) to test multiple sizes to view how the sizing affects the economics of your system.
Enter the nominal capacity in MW, or enter several quantities for HOMER to consider in the space provided. Include a zero if you want HOMER to consider systems without Storage.
Cost
The cost table includes the initial capital cost and replacement cost, as well as annual operation and maintenance (O&M) costs per converter. When specifying the capital and replacement costs, be sure to account for all costs associated with the inverter.
Note: The Capital cost is the initial purchase price. The Replacement cost is the cost of replacing the inverter at the end of its lifetime. The O&M cost is the annual cost of operating and maintaining the inverter.
Note: Below each numerical input is a sensitivity button (
) that allows you to do a sensitivity analysis on that variable. For more information, see Why Would I Do a Sensitivity Analysis?
Storage DC/DC efficiency
HOMER will account for energy conversion losses from either the DC to the AC bus (inversion) and the AC to DC bus (conversion). If you input an efficiency of 95%, there is a 5% loss for any energy sent either direction across the inverter or converter. The default setting is 98%.
See Also
