Transactive control of community batteries for voltage regulation in distribution systems

Abstract

With the proliferation of renewable energy sources in distribution systems, the grid operators are posed with the challenge of voltage regulation. Community batteries have significant capabilities in regulating network voltage but such potentials are rarely studied. The literature also lacks insights into how voltage regulation markets should co-exist with other grid service markets, such as battery energy arbitrage service and frequency control ancillary service (FCAS) markets. Therefore, this paper addresses these gaps by proposing a transactive platform for community batteries to trade voltage regulation services with the grid operator while providing other services. First, voltage sensitivity analysis is conducted to construct a voltage regulation demand curve based on the regulation needs of the system. Next, different operating conditions of battery inverters are investigated to model the cost of supplying voltage regulation. Various market-clearing rules are then established to determine the quantity and price of the voltage regulation service traded using the demand and supply curves. Technical analyses indicate that the proposed transactive platform is able to (1) price the voltage regulation service depending on the severity of voltage issues, (2) set a positive/negative regulation price when the system undergoes overvoltage/undervoltage conditions, (3) help battery owners gain considerable extra regulation revenue with proper incentivisation. This research provides guidance to incorporate voltage regulation service with the presence of other grid services and to implement voltage regulation markets to engage community batteries.