Storage units in active distribution networks: advanced voltage regulation with multi-objective optimization

Storage devices are gaining interest as possible options to improve operation of ‘active’ distribution networks in presence of high level of distributed generation, especially from Renewable Energy Resources (RES). The Italian demonstrator of the GRID4EU project (www.grid4eu.eu) is testing in a real field an advanced voltage control for active MV networks. The controller is able to include a storage unit, operated by the DSO, among the regulation resources in the optimization. Storage devices add flexibility to the network operation, allowing to reach different goals at the same time thanks to proper multiobjective optimization. The paper describes the main elements of the voltage controller, focusing on the various goals that could be reached by means of the storage units. Finally, a discussion about the perspective implementation in the real demonstrator is given.