Cost-Effective Grid Congestion Relief Via Battery-based Virtual Power Lines

Grid congestion occurs when network components reach their thermal limits due to excessive generation or demand. As an alternative to expensive upgrades to the transmission infrastructure, a non-wire alternative called virtual power line (VPL) is being deployed. VPLs typically involve utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) installed at specific points within the power grid. For the first time, this paper proposes a techno-economic feasibility model for optimizing the size and management of BESS-based VPL. The objective function is formulated to minimize the total net present cost subject to various operational constraints of the system. The model was implemented and validated using real parameters from the Saudi transmission network. The results indicate that 12 Li-Ion batteries, each with a capacity of 1 MW/4.28 MWh, are optimal for alleviating the overloading scenario on the studied transmission network. Moreover, the findings confirm the viability of employing the proposed VPL solution over constructing new overhead transmission lines, showcasing lower costs and proved effective in managing the transmission congestion. The VPL solution successfully mimics transmission line flows, supports the existing network infrastructure, and enhances the cost performance and reliability of the power grid.