Development of Applications for Electrical Energy Storage Systems in Modern Distribution Systems

Abstract

Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) have been drawing great interest worldwide from all the agents involved in the electric sector as part of the effort to modernize distribution systems. In fact, globally, there is a strong trend to diversify the energy supply mix driven by (a) depletion of conventional primary sources, such as coal and natural gas, along with the concern with their environmental impact and (b) increasing demand for electricity, due to economic growth, industrial development, emergence of new loads, such as electric vehicles, and growing penetration of electronics-based home appliances. As a result, renewable energy sources, mainly solar and wind, have been explored as alternative for electricity generation. However, such sources are, in general, intermittent, which hampers a steady supply of energy as well as may cause Power Quality (PQ) issues. Under this scenario, the Energy Storage Systems stand out as an adequate technology that enables better use and integration of intermittent and renewable energy sources, mitigates their technical impacts and improves PQ levels. More precisely, this context occurs in greater degree in Modern Distribution Systems (MDSs), in which photovoltaic generators, electric vehicles, metering and monitoring systems have been deployed at an accelerating pace. In this sense, this Ph.D. project aims to develop applications for ESSs in MDSs at three levels, as a means to demonstrate their potential to benefit the grid: (i) small-scale - ESSs installed at LV networks consumers; (ii) medium-scale - ESSs connected to service transformers (MV/LV) and (iii) large-scale - ESSs integrated to distribution substations (HV/MV). Real data from Brazilian and Canadian networks combined with computational simulation and analytical studies will be used to develop, evaluate and improve these applications. Field and laboratory measurements collected as part of Brazilian and Canadian R&D projects will also be considered during this Ph.D. research.