Load peak shaving and power smoothing of a distribution grid with high renewable energy penetration

High penetration of renewable energy poses a significant challenge in operation of power system. A potential solution for this problem is utilizing Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of BESS ability to peak shave and smooth the load curve of an actual circuit on the island of Maui in Hawaii. The distribution circuit has about 850 kW of installed rooftop Photo-Voltaic (PV) generation. Higher penetration of PV increases the concern about the potential impacts on the transmission system. At first, we will present two different methods for load forecasting. Reliable forecasting of daily load is required to effectively utilize the BESS system. We have employed two different methods for load forecasting in order to achieve two main purposes including peak shaving and smoothing. For reaching these goals, two approaches are analyzed. The first approach is utilizing a nonlinear programming method in terms of load shifting and smoothing. The second approach includes a real time control strategy to have smoothing and peak shaving at the same time. As a real case study, these proposed methods have been applied within 108-day data collection period and pros and cons of these methods will be discussed. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.