Impact of Self-consumption and Storage in Low Voltage Distribution Networks: An Economic Outlook

Abstract

A paradigm shift is taking place in Low Voltage (LV) distribution networks, motivated by progressive implementation of renewable microgeneration (µG), mainly Photovoltaic (PV), near household consumers. The concept of self-consumption linked to battery storage is emerging as a way to enhance the quality of electrical network. Smart-Grid (SG) environment comes close to this approach and may have a crucial relevance on management of intelligent power distribution networks, in the framework of a Smart Environment. This paper proposes an additional contribution on the subject by investigating the economic profitability of PV battery systems being analyzed with respect to its impact and economic feasibility, taking into consideration their initial investment and operation costs. The purpose is to verify if prosumer´s investment is financially more interesting than purchasing all electricity needed for consumption from the LV grid. The results of the performed economic analysis show that self-consumption with storage is a potential solution.

Assessment of overvoltage mitigation techniques in low‐voltage distribution networks with high penetration of photovoltaic microgeneration

“…Operating mode V attains a three-fold objective: the voltage is kept under control, there is no reverse power at the service transformer and total network losses are reduced. However, the economic viability of PV installations with batteries is questionable at the present time, as demonstrated in [63,64].…”