Optimal power management for LV distribution feeders with finely distributed PV co-located storage

A serious issue facing utilities is capital expenditure, in terms of generating plants, transmission, distribution and the need to satisfy rising peak demand. Photovoltaic generation (PV) is emerging as an alternative to these rising economic and environmental concerns over fossil/coal power generations. Integrating distributed PV systems with storage will allow better utilization of the available power. If electricity storage capability is sufficiently large and can be managed as required, storage can shift the peak demand. In this paper, a real power management method has been presented using battery to improve the voltage profile of a test feeder with finely distributed PV while minimizing system losses. The results show effect of storage on feeder voltage, the real power dispatch of PV and help determine economic sizing and periodic daily operation of storage.