Analyzing the effects of the customer-side BESS from the perspective of electricity distribution networks

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis methodology to consider the effects of customer-side battery energy storage systems (BESS) on electricity distribution networks motivated by power-based tariffs. The paper describes the methodology by which the network effects can be defined. The methodology is verified by applying actual distribution network and load data. The analysis shows that transition from traditional energy-based distribution tariff to power-based tariff can lead to an accelerating increase in the application of customer-side energy storages. The results indicate that the network effects of the BESS are significant. The effect of energy storages depends partly on the voltage level of the network component. The results show that peak loads decrease in the case electricity distribution network. The most significant decrease, over 10% on average, is found in the low-voltage network, which is not a minor improvement.