Case Study

Innovation for hybrid power plants

Optimising hybrid wind parks through advanced simulations, KPI benchmarking, and disruptive tech foresight

CamIn works with early adopters to identify new opportunities enabled by emerging technology.

Revenue:

$10 billion+

Employee headcount:

20,000+

Opportunity:

Energy transition

Service:

Emerging technology & industry foresight

Sponsored:

Head of innovation

of CamIn’s project team comprised of leading industry and technology experts

CamIn’s expert team

35,000

For $35,000, we de-risked their $5 million investment into hybrid power plant pilots

expert teams

4 external expert teams specialised in wind energy hybrid systems

x faster

CamIn completed the work in 6 weeks, 2 times faster than the client’s internal team

Discover more opportunities in

Energy transition

Our energy client wanted to identify hybrid systems that enable them to design efficient and profitable wind farms. CamIn benchmarked 15 and selected 3 hybrid simulation tools, de-risking client’s investment of $5 million into pilots

Client's problem

The client was intrigued by rapidly developing technologies in renewable energy hybrid systems, but lacked the visibility in early-stage developments. The project aimed to explore new solutions and technologies, specifically in designing and optimising hybrid wind parks that combine wind, solar, and energy storage. The final goal was to increase efficiency and profitability of the next-generation wind parks by leveraging advanced tools and methodologies to enhance efficiency and system lifespan.

CamIn's solution

Key questions answered

What hybrid wind-storage designs exist beyond wind/BESS?
What is the R&D landscape and who are the key developers and integrators?
What system architectures and shared components (e.g. power electronics, control) are used?
What simulation tools are able to model these systems at a sub-system level?

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Our Approach

20	Reviewed over 20 sub-variations of different AC and DC combinations for hybrid systems that included wind and solar power generation and various options of energy storage.
15	Benchmarked 15 hybrid power plants simulation and management solutions by 10 KPIs, including sizing, market balancing capabilities, maturity, open-source capability, forecasting, etc.
15	By analysing the 15 vendors, CamIn confirmed 3 that matched client's required KPIs the best, ranging from quick-win to horizon 2 opportunities for co-development.
5	Highlighted how the field will evolve over the next 5 years and what disruptive technologies the client should pay attention to.

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Results and Impact

Assessed 5 novel hybrid system combinations suitable to a wind park and elaborated on specific scenarios for which each of those is advantageous.

Benchmarked 15 hybrid simulation tools, short-listing 3 of them for our client to co-develop further with the selected partners.

Provided a 5-year roadmap of emerging hybrid systems, key players, and relevant hybrid simulation tools.

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Example Outputs

What are hybrid power plants (HPPs)?

Hybrid power plants (HPPs) are utility-scale energy systems that co-locate and integrate multiple renewable energy sources, typically wind and solar, alongside energy storage technologies, such as batteries or mechanical storage, to operate as a single coordinated power plant. These systems use one grid connection and are managed through integrated control systems that optimise power delivery, maximise economic value, and reduce output variability.

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Why are hybrid power plants important for energy generation?

Hybrid power plants (HPPs) are rapidly evolving with the support of emerging technologies that improve performance, efficiency, and integration. These technologies are enabling more flexible and responsive power systems that can meet rising demands for grid stability, market participation, and decarbonisation.

Energy and power management systems: Advanced EMS and PMS platforms enable real-time optimisation of plant operations and market bidding, allowing for more precise and profitable control of hybrid assets.
Diverse storage solutions: Lithium-ion batteries dominate current deployments, but technologies such as compressed air storage, flywheels, and pumped hydro are being explored to suit varying durations and operational needs.
Integrated software tools: Simulation and optimisation tools like NREL’s HOPP and DTU’s HyDesign support end-to-end hybrid system design, from site layout to dispatch strategies.
Electrical system design innovations: DC-coupled architectures are gaining popularity for their cost efficiency and improved energy yield compared to traditional AC-coupled systems.
Application-specific customisation: Technology combinations are increasingly being tailored to project location, regulatory context, and target services, allowing HPPs to adapt to a wider range of market conditions.

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What opportunities are emerging for hybrid power plants?

Hybrid power plants (HPPs) will play a critical role in advancing grid flexibility and renewable energy reliability. As the energy system decarbonises, HPPs will unlock new commercial and operational advantages by intelligently combining generation, storage, and control technologies.

Access to stacked revenue streams: HPPs will increasingly participate in multiple electricity markets, including energy, capacity, reserves, and ancillary services, enabling higher asset utilisation and more stable income.
Regulatory alignment and grid compliance: Grid operators are tightening standards for dispatchability and grid-forming capabilities. HPPs are well-positioned to meet these requirements and benefit from performance-based incentives.
Energy arbitrage and load shifting: Strategic use of battery and alternative storage allows operators to capture surplus energy and shift delivery to peak demand hours, enhancing profitability.
Overplanting and infrastructure optimisation: HPPs can install more capacity than interconnection limits allow and use storage to manage excess generation, increasing output without major grid upgrades.
Decentralised system resilience: By co-locating solar, wind, and storage, HPPs offer greater reliability and support energy resilience in weak or remote grids, reducing dependency on fossil peakers.

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What technologies are emerging for developing and managing hybrid power plants?

A wave of next-generation technologies is redefining how hybrid power plants are designed, managed, and optimised. These innovations will enhance system performance, improve cost-efficiency, and expand viable deployment models.

Advanced control systems: Energy and power management platforms are evolving to optimise real-time dispatch, predictive maintenance, and dynamic market bidding across hybrid assets.
Diversified storage solutions: Alongside lithium-ion batteries, technologies like long-duration flow batteries, compressed air, flywheels, and pumped hydro will support broader use cases from short-term response to seasonal balancing.
Integrated modelling and design tools: Platforms such as NREL’s HOPP and DTU’s HyDesign are enabling co-optimisation of multiple generation and storage assets at both the planning and operational stages.
Electrical architecture innovation: DC-coupled systems are gaining traction due to their efficiency, reduced balance-of-system costs, and simplified interconnection compared to traditional AC configurations.
Modular and scalable designs: Prefabricated hybrid modules and containerised systems will reduce installation time, lower capital cost, and support flexible deployment across industrial, commercial, and remote applications.

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