Battery storage integration in power systems of PVs, and flexible loads for frequency reserves provision and direct load control

Abstract

Power management systems (PMS) of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) such as PV generation, electric vehicles (EVs), and heat pumps (HPs) battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming increasingly important for energy arbitrage and ancillary services provision. In this work, a PMS is developed which is based on optimal dispatch to maximize cost savings, perform direct load control (DLC) for congestion management, and offer frequency regulation reserves while simultaneously optimally allocating BESS capacity in a distribution grid. Results showed that a BESS installation is not economically viable only with energy arbitrage but becomes highly profitable when ancillary services such as frequency regulation are provided. Furthermore, it was shown that a centralized BESS at the closest node to the main grid is the most beneficial solution due to lower power losses, although that also depends on the price profiles and the different flexibilities of the nodes. The importance of a BESS installation and the benefits of its synergy with flexible loads for both system-wide frequency regulation, as well as for direct load control for congestion management, were also proven, increasing DLC and load shifting success rates to always above 90%. In this regard, commercial nodes that are characterized by low flexibility are in the greatest need of a BESS installation if they participate in ancillary services provision.