Operation strategies for energy storage systems in distribution networks

This paper investigates various strategies for operation scheduling of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in distribution systems, and proposes an optimization-based method to optimally operate ESS in coordination with Renewable Energy Resources (RERs) and load variations. Mathematical models for operation of ESS are developed and incorporated in a three-phase unbalanced Distribution Optimal Power Flow (DOPF) optimization model. The proposed model generates optimal charge/discharge schedules of ESS, while satisfying distribution network operational constraints such as voltage limits. Various simulations are carried out to analyze the impacts of different operation strategies on the performance of the system, and highlight the effectiveness of the proposed method in optimally operating distribution networks with ESS and RERs. Presented results show that considerable improvement in the efficiency of distribution system operation, e.g., reductions in losses, peak demand, and energy, could be achieved using the proposed optimal operation scheduling of ESS.