Load levelling and loss reduction by ES in a primary distribution system with PV units

Energy Storage (ES) has become an important element in Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) due to progressive integration of renewable energy such as photovoltaic (PV). ES enables high penetration of intermittent PV while bringing several additional benefits to the network. Such benefits include loss reduction, voltage profile improvement and reverse power flow avoidance. This paper presents an analysis of energy loss reduction in a radial distribution network with PV units through load levelling using ES. Simulations are conducted using the GridLAB-D software tool. Analyses show that ES allocated close to the load achieves an energy loss reduction higher than that near the substation. Optimal ES capacity obtained through load leveling produces a maximum energy loss reduction. This capacity is adequate to bring the system load factor close to unity. It is also shown that distributed ES allocation can yield almost twice loss reductions higher than centralized ES placement.