Implementation and Validation of a Self-Consumption Maximization Energy Management Strategy in a Vanadium Redox Flow BIPV Demonstrator

Luis Fialho,Manuel Collares Pereira,Luis Narvarte,Tomás Fartaria

doi:10.3390/en9070496

Luis Fialho, Manuel Collares Pereira + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en9070496

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Jun 29, 2016
Citations: 11	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Évora, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the implementation of a self-consumption maximization strategy tested in a real-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) (5 kW, 60 kWh) and Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) demonstrator (6.74 kWp). The tested energy management strategy aims to maximize the consumption of energy generated by a BIPV system through the usage of a battery. Whenever possible, the residual load is either stored in the battery to be used later or is supplied by the energy stored previously. The strategy was tested over seven days in a real-scale VRF battery to assess the validity of this battery to implement BIPV-focused energy management strategies. The results show that it was possible to obtain a self-consumption ratio of 100.0%, and that 75.6% of the energy consumed was provided by PV power. The VRFB was able to perform the strategy, although it was noticed that the available power (either to charge or discharge) varied with the state of charge.

Highlights

IntroductionWith the current increase of distributed renewable energies generators (such as rooftop photovoltaic power) in electrical grids, and more affordable energy storage systems (ESS), it is becoming much more viable to match individual demand for electricity with on-site photovoltaic (PV)production [1,2,3]
With the current increase of distributed renewable energies generators in electrical grids, and more affordable energy storage systems (ESS), it is becoming much more viable to match individual demand for electricity with on-site photovoltaic (PV)production [1,2,3]
energy management strategy (EMS) focused on the maximization of the self-consumption of on-site-produced PV electricity have been presented [7,8,9,10], in which they assert that this strategy is useful and economically viable, even without feed-in-tariffs

Summary

Introduction

With the current increase of distributed renewable energies generators (such as rooftop photovoltaic power) in electrical grids, and more affordable energy storage systems (ESS), it is becoming much more viable to match individual demand for electricity with on-site photovoltaic (PV)production [1,2,3]. In the case of residential installations, the use of ESS for short-term management of supply—i.e., allowing the shift of PV energy to higher consumption periods (such as the evening peak or at night)—could increase self-consumed electricity from 30% to 70% [4,5,6] To allow this increase, a battery must be integrated in the grid-connected PV system and an ad-hoc energy management strategy (EMS) must be implemented in a control unit that correctly manages the electricity flow between the PV generator, the battery, and the grid. EMSs focused on the maximization of the self-consumption of on-site-produced PV electricity have been presented [7,8,9,10], in which they assert that this strategy is useful and economically viable, even without feed-in-tariffs This EMS requires a reliable and efficient battery technology with a low power/energy ratio, such as the Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB). This promising technology has as Energies 2016, 9, 496; doi:10.3390/en9070496 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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