Optimal Allocation of Batteries to Facilitate High Solar Photovoltaic Penetration

The integration of distributed energy resources has modernized the Distribution Networks (DNs) significantly. The recent cost reduction and technical advancement of photovoltaic (PV) applications encourage generating electricity at the distribution level more economically. However, the unpredictable behavior of PV creates several difficulties related to power system stability, quality, and reliability. The high penetration level of PV systems increases the challenge for DN system operators and planners. A practical solution to overcome the uncertainty behavior of PVs is to use a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). However, the appropriate placement of the BESS in the DN plays a significant role to mitigate the higher level of power losses. Hence, optimal allocation is extremely desirable to maximize the benefits of BESS. In this paper, the optimal allocation of BESS in a DN with a high penetration level of the PV system is examined towards power losses reduction. The IEEE 33-bus system is utilized in this study as a testing model. A genetic algorithm optimization technique is used to find the optimal location of BESS in DN. The optimal placement of a bulk BESS and distributed BESS in DN were compared. The results demonstrated a considerable reduction in power losses for the bulk BESS and further reduction in power losses is achieved in the case of distributed BESS.