Capturing curtailed renewable energy in electric power distribution networks via mobile battery storage fleet

In this paper, a new scheduling model is proposed for the daily operation of a truck-mounted Mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems (MBES) fleet employed in a distribution network. The distribution network is installed with various wind and PV distributed resources wherein a portion of the renewable-based generation capacity is curtailed due to various technical reasons. The MBES fleet scheduling model aims at minimizing curtailed renewable energy by absorbing and releasing excess energy when and where needed. Accordingly, the variable spatial and temporal renewable generation curtailment is recovered by optimal spatio-temporal and power energy scheduling of the MBES fleet. The required transportation time for the MBES unit transportation comprising detachment, movement, and attachment is considered efficiently. Besides, a detailed breakdown of the MBES transportation cost is presented and modelled via a new formulation. The proposed MBES fleet operation model can be easily integrated into the available commercial distribution optimal power flow packages. Considering linearity, the model can handle very large-scale real-life networks without convergence problems by achieving global optima. The model is numerically tested, and simulation results demonstrate its effectiveness for recovering a considerable share of the curtailed renewable energy irrespective of the resources type, generation time period, or installation location.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a new scheduling model for a truck-mounted MBES fleet in a distribution network. The model aims to minimize curtailed renewable energy through optimal energy scheduling, considering spatial and temporal variations. It also considers transportation time and cost. The model can be easily integrated into existing power flow software and handles large-scale real-life networks.