Theoretical dimensioning and sizing limits of hybrid energy storage systems

Aim of a storage hybridisation is a beneficial usage or combination of different storage technologies with various characteristics to downsize the overall system, decrease the costs or to increase the lifetime, system efficiency or performance. In this paper, the point of interest is a different ratio of power to energy (specific power) of two storages to create a hybrid energy storage system (HESS) with a resulting specific power that better matches the requirements of the application. The approach enables a downsizing of the overall system compared to a single storage system and consequently decreases costs. The paper presents a theoretical and analytical benchmark calculation that determines the maximum achievable hybridisation, i.e. possible spread in specific power, while retaining the original total energy and power capacities of an equivalent single storage system. The theory is independent from technology, topology, control strategy, and application and provides a unified view on hybrid energy storage systems. It serves as a pre-dimensioning tool and first step within a larger design process. Furthermore, it presents a general approach to choose storage combinations and to characterize the potential of an application for hybridisation. In this context, a Hybridisation Diagram is proposed and integral Hybridisation Parameters are introduced.