Distributed battery energy storage systems for deferring distribution network reinforcements under sustained load growth scenarios

M. Martínez, C. Mateo, T. Gómez, B. Alonso Santos, P. Frías

Journal of Energy Storage Vol. 100, nº. Part A, pp. 113404-1 - 113404-9

Summary:

Energy storage systems can be leveraged in electricity distribution network planning as mitigation alternatives to traditional grid reinforcements if they are strategically installed and operated to reduce congestion and voltage limit violations. This paper examines the technical and economic viability of distributed battery energy storage systems owned by the system operator as an alternative to distribution network reinforcements. The case study analyzes the installation of battery energy storage systems in a real 500-bus Spanish medium voltage grid under sustained load growth scenarios. The results show that, in general, dedicated battery energy storage systems are only a cost-efficient alternative in distribution system planning under very specific conditions, such as when low load growth rates are expected. Nevertheless, they are only required for peak shaving a few days per year. For the analyzed case study, the recoverable portion of their total cost through deferral of distribution system upgrades is higher than the fraction of cycles required for peak shaving under all sustained load growth scenarios. Therefore, it is also explored if mobile battery energy storage systems, capital grants, and revenue stacking can enable battery energy storage systems to become an efficient distribution system planning alternative.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este artículo analiza las baterías como alternativa de planificación a reforzar las redes de distribución ante escenarios de crecimiento de la demanda. Las baterías son eficientes para tasas de crecimiento bajas y se consideran baterías móviles y otras fuentes de ingresos para mejorar su viabilidad.

English layman's summary:

This paper examines battery energy storage systems (BESS) as an alternative to reinforcements in distribution network planning under sustained load growth scenarios. BESS are cost-effective at low load growth rates, and mobile BESS and revenue stacking are considered to improve their viability.

Keywords: Distribution network planning; Energy storage systems; Reinforcements; Genetic algorithms

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 8,900 - Q1 (2023)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.113404

Published on paper: October 2024.

Published on-line: August 2024.

Citation:
M. Martínez, C. Mateo, T. Gómez, B. Alonso Santos, P. Frías, Distributed battery energy storage systems for deferring distribution network reinforcements under sustained load growth scenarios. Journal of Energy Storage. Vol. 100, nº. Part A, pp. 113404-1 - 113404-9, October 2024. [Online: August 2024]