Evaluation of grid-level adaptability for stationary battery energy storage system applications in Europe

This work discusses the grid-level suitability for stationary battery energy storage systems based on lithium ion technology in general, focusing on the integration of such systems in the low-voltage grid-level in Europe. The vast majority of recent research regarding stationary battery storage systems focuses on single-electricity-grid voltage levels, whereas the interaction of different electricity grid-levels has been widely neglected. Challenges in distribution grids mostly originate from the quantity of challenges in low-voltage grids, stationary battery energy storage systems that are operated in low-voltage grids may reduce these challenges. Therefore, this work investigates stationary battery energy storage systems installed in low-voltage grids and their effects on superimposed grid-levels. Simulation results show that grid challenges, addressed by battery storage systems in low-voltage grids, have positive multiplicative impacts on upper grid levels, reducing local grid demand and lowering power peak stress. A proposal is presented for a low-voltage grid battery storage system that can be operated to fulfill the aforementioned functionality and yield the benefits via a multi-purpose or multi-tasking battery storage system. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.