Optimal Planning of Battery Energy Storage Systems for Mitigating Voltage Fluctuations in Active Distribution Networks

Variations in solar irradiance and wind speed cause fluctuations in voltage of distribution networks. Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are usually installed in the distribution networks to mitigate the effects of these voltage fluctuations. The lifespan of a BESS-battery is affected by various factors such as the operating temperature, the level of depth of discharge and the magnitude of charging and discharging currents. In this paper, a new methodology is proposed in which the factors affecting the lifespan of the battery are modelled to find the optimal location and size of BESSs. The problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem. The first objective function represents total energy losses of a distribution network, whereas the second objective function contains total investment cost associated with the installation of a BESS. Moreover, voltage regulation is carried out with the BESS. An IEEE 906 bus test feeder is used for the simulations, and both wind and solar power distributed generators are installed in the test system. The results show improvement in the voltage profile, reduction in the losses and minimized cost of installation.