A study by researchers at Deakin University in Victoria shows that community-based battery energy storage systems are the most viable and cost-effective solution for overcoming the grid challenges sparked by the ongoing adoption of renewable energy-based distributed energy resources (DER) such as rooftop solar and electric vehicles (EVs).
Australia leads the world in rooftop solar adoption, with approximately 4.3 million households equipped with PV systems, representing about 28.3 GW of installed capacity, but the rollout of renewable energy-based resources and the retirement of traditional coal-fired generation units makes for a fundamental shift in how power grids operate.
In a new paper, researchers from Deakin said the increase in DER penetration has led to greater variability in power flows, voltage levels and demand patterns across low-voltage distribution networks, prompting a search for the most effective and economically viable mitigation measures.
“Cleaner energy brings new grid challenges, making coordinated storage essential for voltage stability,” corresponding author Khalil Gholami said.
The Deakin research team examined multiple possible mitigation measures, including PV curtailment, the use of smart inverters for reactive power supply, and the appropriate sizing and positioning of battery energy storage systems at both household and community levels, before identifying community-scale batteries as the standout solution.
A distribution network in Victoria was used to assess essential system characteristics and operational risks, such as voltage, intermittency, and dynamic load profiles with the possible mitigation measures assessed by analysing voltage variations and associated costs.
The research team said the results of the study demonstrate that community-scale batteries are the most viable solution for mitigating the technical vulnerabilities imposed on distribution networks by high DER penetration.
“They are found to be approximately 52% more cost-effective than individual household battery installations,” they said, noting that household-level batteries enhanced voltage control but incur high capital costs and coordination issues due to their decentralised characteristics.
“In contrast, optimally sized and placed community-scale batteries offer a more effective and practical solution, with centralised management, the system achieved consistent scheduling, improved voltage management and lowered the overall total costs.”
Another method for overcoming overvoltage issues in distribution networks examined in the study was PV generation curtailment through inverter control but it proved to be a less promising solution due to the limited utilisation of renewable energy and associated economic losses.
“While curtailing PV generation can alleviate voltage and stability issues, it often proves economically impractical, as it directly reduces energy output and financial returns for prosumers and PV system operators,” the researchers said. “In addition to its limited technical effectiveness, PV curtailment also results in the loss of clean energy, which runs counter to the goals of achieving net-zero emissions.”
Despite this, they said power curtailment remains a viable “short-term or emergency measure,” especially in cases where voltage rise events are infrequent or seasonal.
The novel cell architecture was presented in “Assessing Vulnerability and Mitigating Risks in Distribution Networks With High Penetration of Renewable Energy,” published in IET Renewable Power Generation.
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