Optimal battery configuration in a residential home with time-of-use pricing

Abstract

Residential energy consumption shows significant diurnal patterns that can be leveraged by energy storage devices. Batteries can store energy from either local renewable sources or from the grid when the electricity is cheaper, and provide it when the prices are higher. However, batteries are chemical devices and their efficiency and lifetime highly depends on the usage patterns. In this paper, we develop a framework that considers the physical properties of batteries, tests the feasibility of a battery deployment and finds the best battery types and configurations for a particular residential configuration. We validate the outcomes our framework through simulations that are informed by measurements. Our framework shows that up to 43% savings can be obtained with batteries, which may be lower or completely eliminated if the batteries are not used in specific configurations.