Application of vanadium redox flow battery to grid connected microgrid energy management

Abstract

This paper presents the application of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) to grid connected microgrid energy management. The application of an energy storage system could enhance the economic feasibility of the microgrid. VRFB as a microgrid energy storage system has an advantage of low capital cost. However, the efficiency of VRFB is comparatively lower than other energy storage systems. Characteristics of VRFB have to be considered to achieve optimal energy management of the microgrid energy management system. The VRFB operation is restricted by its balance of plant power usages and variable efficiency. The microgrid energy management system considers both limitations and provides an optimal VRFB control schedule. The optimal control schedule of the real VRFB system shows that the microgrid energy management system tries to operate the VRFB near its maximum efficiency regions. Application of VRFB with an energy management system could guarantee both economic feasibility and low capital cost of the microgrid.