Battery Swapping Station as an Energy Storage for Capturing Distribution-Integrated Solar Variability

Abstract

Managing the inherent variability of solar generation is a critical challenge for utility grid operators, particularly as the distribution grid-integrated solar generation is making fast inroads in power systems. This paper proposes to leverage Battery Swapping Station (BSS) as an energy storage for mitigating solar photovoltaic (PV) output fluctuations. Using mixed-integer programming, a model for the BSS optimal scheduling is proposed to capture solar generation variability. The proposed model aims at minimizing the BSS total operation cost, which represents the accumulated cost of exchanging power with the utility grid. The model is subject to four sets of constraints associated with the utility grid, the BSS system, individual batteries, and solar variability. Numerical simulations on a test BSS demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and show its viability in helping the utility grids host a higher penetration of solar generation.

Battery Swapping Station Service in a Smart Microgrid: A Multi-Method Simulation Performance Analysis

“…The battery swapping station model simulates different operations including the swapping process, warehouse management, and the battery charging process scheduling. The swapping demand is hourly [6], as in Figure 3, and refers to a general swap that must be associated with a specific battery category according to percentage defined in Table 2. The swapping process involves cars and batteries.…”

“…However, to maximize the benefits of BSSs, it is essential to integrate them into intelligent electrical systems, such as smart microgrids, that heavily rely on renewable energy sources [5]. Such integration can further enhance the sustainability of the transport system by utilizing renewable power generation and facilitating efficient energy management [6]. The management of BSSs should focus on two aspects: individual-level management to ensure the efficient utilization of the battery fleet in terms of recharging and decommissioning, and management of interactions with the electricity grid and other associated elements [7].…”