Equalization of battery cycle life through flexible distribution of energy and storage resources

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in industrial microgrids are frequently subjected to large and fluctuating demands from loads like crushers, excavators, and steel rolling mills. This paper investigates the battery life when four small-rated DERs are interconnected in a microgrid to supply a crusher-conveyor load at an industrial plant, especially when power from the main (utility) grid is not available. Each DER consisted of a fuel cell accompanied by a Li-ion battery. After carrying out extensive modeling and analysis, this paper demonstrated that the battery life can be equalized by employing the cooperative framework of Flexible Distribution of EneRgy and Storage resources (FDERS). Various practical considerations have been taken into account in the analysis presented in this paper.