Role of Distributed Energy Storage Systems in the Quest for Carbon-Free Electric Distribution Systems

This paper presents an extensive analysis in relation to transforming electric distribution networks in order to accommodate large quantities of variable renewable energy sources (vRESs). For this purpose, a multi-stage and stochastic mixed integer linear programming (S-MILP) model is employed. The algebraic model developed optimally allocates energy storage systems (ESSs) along with an optimal dynamic distribution network switching. For the analysis, a standard IEEE 119-bus distribution network system was used as a case study. Test results reveal that the joint optimization of ESSs and network reconfiguration markedly increase flexibility in existing systems, leading to an increase in the levels of renewables integration and utilization. Moreover, the analysis of the results shows the prospect of such systems in going fully “carbon-free”, i.e. with vRES power entirely meeting system demand. Generally, the current work demonstrates that a more effective integration and utilization of large-scale vRESs is possible when existing systems are equipped with enabling technologies that are already commercially available.