Optimal placement and sizing of battery storage to increase the PV hosting capacity of low voltage grids

Abstract:
In this paper, we present an optimization tool to investigate the cost-optimal placement and sizing of battery storage as a PV integration measure in distribution grids. Additionally, potential synergies between PV generation, battery storage, PV curtailment and electric mobility are also explored. The optimization tool is based on the two basic Optimal Power Flow (OPF) algorithms: AC OPF and DC OPF. The high computation times that an AC OPF requires as well as the many simplifications assumed in the DC OPF necessitate the development of hybrid methods that render the optimization problem tractable without neglecting crucial operational data such as voltages. The results of this work show that a DSO would have to bear high costs in case the problems caused by PV penetration are addressed exclusively by battery storage installation. Even low curtailment levels could result in a drastic reduction of these costs with negligible energy losses. Finally, it can be concluded that the implementation of hybrid AC and DC OPF methods for battery placement and sizing problems can lead to a significant decrease in computation time without neglecting crucial information about the network.