Abstract
The penetration of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in residential areas contributes to the generation and usage of renewable energy. Despite its advantages, the PV system also creates problems caused by the intermittency of renewable energy. As suggested by researchers, such problems deteriorate the applicability of the PV system and have to be resolved by employing a battery energy storage system (BESS). With concern for the high investment cost, the choice of a cost-effective BESS with proper sizing is necessary. To this end, this paper proposes the employment of a vanadium redox flow battery (VRB), which possesses a long cycle life and high energy efficiency, for residential users with PV systems. It further proposes methods of computing the capital and maintenance cost of VRB systems and evaluating battery efficiency based on VRB electrochemical characteristics. Furthermore, by considering the cost and efficiency of VRB, the prevalent time-of-use electricity price, the solar feed-in tariff, the solar power profile and the user load pattern, an optimal sizing algorithm for VRB systems is proposed. Simulation studies are carried out to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Highlights
In recent years, rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly used in residential areas [1,2]
It is worth noting that the actual cost of vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) for each kWh used during its lifetime is very small because of the long cycle life
By comparing the red and blue curves, it is observable that the efficiency variation caused by different state of charge (SOC) is very small and appears to be negligible in the main operating range of VRB
Summary
Rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly used in residential areas [1,2]. Time-varying electricity prices, i.e., time-of-use (TOU) rates, have been proposed and adopted in several countries and areas [9,10,11] In view of such situations, the benefit of employing BESS can be further extended through peak shaving in high price regions. The proposed methods for battery efficiency and cost evaluation are based on a specific set of field test data and empirical equations, respectively They may not be accurate for general VRB systems. Further studies are required on the proper sizing of VRB systems for residential applications with more accurate efficiency and cost evaluation approaches. This paper proposes an optimal sizing method for the VRB system in residential applications It provides a guideline for the computation of the capital and maintenance costs of the VRB system.
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