Methods and systems for power control in a non-exporting mode of operation

A power plant controller, comprising:

• an input/output (I/O) interface;
• and
• one or more processors communicatively coupled to the I/O interface and configured to perform an operation for controlling a renewable energy power plant comprising a plurality of wind turbine generators (WTG)s and an energy storage system (ESS), the operation, comprising:
• controlling the plurality of WTGs to stop generating power, and thereby to enter a non-exporting mode of operation of the renewable energy power plant, during which one or more auxiliary systems of the renewable energy power plant are powered to maintain at least one of the plurality of WTGs in a standby state, operable to start generating power upon demand;
• wherein the one or more auxiliary systems are powered during the non-exporting mode of operation by:
• discharging stored energy from the ESS;
• detecting when a first energy storage condition is satisfied;
• operating one or more of the WTGs to start generating power in dependence on detecting that the first energy storage condition is satisfied, the power generated by the one or more WTGs being used to power the one or more auxiliary systems;
• operating the ESS to recharge using the power generated by the one or more WTGs;
• detecting when a second energy storage condition is satisfied;
• and
• operating the one or more WTGs to stop generating power in dependence on detecting that the second energy storage condition is satisfied.