Abstract
Traditionally, power system operation has relied on supply side flexibility from large fossil-based generation plants to managed swings in supply and/or demand. An increase in variable renewable generation has increased curtailment of renewable electricity and variations in electricity prices. Consumers can take advantage of volatile electricity prices and reduce their bills using electricity storage. With reduced fossil-based power generation, traditional methods for balancing supply and demand must change. Electricity storage offers an alternative to fossil-based flexibility, with an increase expected to support high levels of renewable generation. Electrochemical storage is a promising technology for local energy systems. In particular, lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density and high efficiency. However, despite their 89% decrease in capital cost over the last 10 years, lithium-ion batteries are still relatively expensive. Local energy systems with battery storage can use their battery for different purposes such as maximising their self-consumption, minimising their operating cost through energy arbitrage which is storing energy when the electricity price is low and releasing the energy when the price increases, and increasing their revenue by providing flexibility services to the utility grid. Power rating and energy capacity are vitally important in the design of an electricity storage system. A case study is given for the purpose of providing a repeatable methodology for optimally sizing of a battery storage system for a local energy system. The methodology can be adapted to include any local energy system generation or demand profile.
Highlights
In the context of the power system operation, ‘flexibility’ can be defined as the capability of the power system to match demand and supply in the face of rapid and large swings in supply and/or demand
Power system operation has relied on supply side flexibility from large fossil-based generation plants to managed swings in supply and/or demand
Electricity storage offers an alternative to fossil-based flexibility, with an increase expected to support high levels of renewable generation
Summary
In the context of the power system operation, ‘flexibility’ can be defined as the capability of the power system to match demand and supply in the face of rapid and large swings in supply and/or demand. The increasing share of variable renewable sources of energy in power systems intensifies the challenge of balancing electricity supply and demand. The increase of wind and solar generation capacity in the GB power system and the lack of sufficient flexibility in recent years have led to the curtailment of renewable energy. When the electricity generated by wind is high during the low demand period, and the system cannot absorb all the electricity generated by wind due to lack of storage, demand turn-up and downward generation capacity, a fraction of wind generation is curtailed to ensure the supply and demand are balanced and the system frequency is kept as close as possible to 50 Hz. The variability of power outputs from renewable generation has an impact on short term electricity prices in day ahead and intraday wholesale markets. According to National Grid’s scenarios [3], the share of electrical energy generated from wind and solar is expected to increase from 33% in 2019 to between 74% (for System Transformation scenario) and 87% The stored electricity will be discharged during peak demand hours to reduce the stress on the power system
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.