Operating strategy and optimal allocation of large‐scale VRB energy storage system in active distribution networks for solar/wind power applications

Abstract

With the high penetration of renewable‐type distributed generators (DGs), the maximum consumption of wind and solar energy has become an increasingly serious problem in active distribution networks. In this study, one simple and effective operating strategy for large‐scale VRB ESS to maximise the use of VRB ESS was proposed considering the dynamic characteristics of VRB including efficiency and absorption performance. And then, a mathematical framework for optimal allocation of VRB ESS was proposed considering the maximum consumption of wind and solar energy, the total costs of VRB ESS and the total benefits of VRB ESS. This proposed mathematical framework was solved by a dynamic programming optimisation algorithm and has been applied to determine the optimal VRB power and energy ratings in a real distribution power system. The feasibility of the solution is ensured based on a per‐day cost model and the simulation results clearly demonstrate the necessity for optimal storage allocation, and the effectiveness of the proposed method.