This project examines the implications of the photovoltaic power generation as well as the battery storage systems on the distribution network tariff structures. Different types of existing distribution tariffs were applied to the residential households’ demand patterns. Several scenarios of demand profiles were theoretically investigated. First scenario included households’ consumption under current situation without on-site power production and any storage, second scenario concerned penetration of average size of solar panel installations and the last demand profile with maximum possible size of photovoltaic panels complemented with battery storage use. The distribution tariffs included in the comparison are: power based tariff and two energy based tariffs, one with flat-rate and another with time-of-use structure. Distribution tariffs were normalized with the aim to research the implications of the on-site production and storage use. Normalization factors were used when comparing financial bills from the households under above mentioned scenarios. Energy distribution tariffs have higher potential for households to save on their energy bill with the introduction of the on-site solar power utilization. On the other hand power tariff provides higher incentive for the implementation of the demand response strategies in the households.

Intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like the wind and solar energy poses new challenges to harness and supply uninterrupted power for consumer usage. Though, converting energy from these sources to useful forms of energy like electricity seems to be promising, still, significant innovations are needed in design and construction of wind turbines and PV arrays with BS systems. The main focus of this research project is mathematical modelling and control of wind turbines, solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays and battery storage (BS) systems. After careful literature review on renewable energy systems, new developments and existing modelling and controlling methods have been analysed. Wind turbine (WT) generator speed control, turbine blade pitch angle control (pitching), harnessing maximum power from the wind turbines have been investigated and presented in detail. Mathematical modelling of PV arrays and how to extract maximum power from PV systems have been analysed in detail. Application of model predictive control (MPC) to regulate the output power of the wind turbine and generator speed control with variable wind speeds have been proposed by formulating a linear model from a nonlinear mathematical model of a WT. Battery chemistry and nonlinear behaviour of battery parameters have been analysed to present a new equivalent electrical circuit model. Converting the captured solar energy into useful forms, and storing it for future use when the Sun itself is obscured is implemented by using battery storage systems presenting a new simulation model. Temperature effect on battery cells and dynamic battery pack modelling have been described with an accurate state of charge estimation method. The concise description on power converters is also addressed with special reference to state-space models. Bi-directional AC/DC converter, which could work in either rectifier or inverter modes is described with a cost effective proportional integral derivative (PID/State-feedback) controller.

This thesis investigates the economic viability of a grid connected PV system integrated with battery storage in a multifamily home in Sweden. In addition, a fleet of electric cars is added to the system and its economic feasibility is analyzed. The analysis is further classified based on the roof area available for PV installation, wherein system 1 considers nearly the entire roof area of 908 m2 and system 2 is assumed to have less than half the roof area of 360 m2 for PV installation. To help with the assessment, five scenarios are created; where scenario one represents a baseline Swedish cooperative without PV, scenario two includes a PV system; scenario three incorporates battery storage; four considers an electric vehicle fleet embedded into the system and scenario five has a fleet of gasoline cars. These scenarios are applied to the two systems and their results compared. To address the question of this thesis both scenarios 2 and 3 are simulated in System Advisor Model (SAM) and scenario 4 is modeled in Matlab. The outputs are exported to Excel in order to obtain the Net Present Value (NPV), which is the economic indicator for this assessment. In none of the tested scenarios the NPVs’ are positive and the best result is observed in a PV system installed with battery storage in a roof area of 360 m2, which has a NPV of -82,000 SEK. A sensitivity analysis is done to assess the changes in NPV by varying the input parameters. It is concluded that battery storage is not yet economically viable in a Swedish multifamily house.

This bachelor thesis investigates the implementation of a solar panel and battery storage system in a Swedish church that is intermittently heated focusing on its economic effect and its environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions. The models are developed to evaluate the costs and CO2 emissions associated with power production, storage, usage and installation of the implemented system. The thesis examines two cases: Case 1, where all the energy is bought from the grid, representing the current energy usage in many churches, and Case 2 which assumes the integration of a solar panel and battery storage system. In terms of economic effects, the thesis reveals that the solar panel and battery storage system results in a negative impact on the church’s costs regarding energy usage. Over a period of 25 years, the church is projected to incur a loss of 956 400 SEK. However, it is worth noting that the direct energy costs when having an implemented solar panel and battery storage system are reduced by 33%, and the sale of surplus solar power generates an income of 1 816 100 SEK. Regarding the environmental impact, the implementation of the solar panel and battery storage system results in increased emissions compared to when only consuming the Swedish electricity mix. This is mainly due to the emissions regarding manufacturing of the solar panel and battery storage system. However, it is visible that the implementation of solely solar panels would lower the system’s total CO2 emissions. The sensitivity analysis demonstrates that replacing the Swedish electricity mix with the EU electricity mix for sold solar energy results in a positive environmental impact. This since the power generated from the solar panels replaces the European electricity mix which has a higher CO2- emission equivalent. This is important to consider since it is impossible to determine which electricity mix the sold PV energy will replace. In conclusion, while the implementation of a solar panel and battery storage system negatively affects the church’s energy costs and leads to increased CO2 emissions in the examined case, there are certain benefits to consider. The reduced energy bought from the grid and lowered direct energy costs, as well as the revenue from selling surplus solar power establishes the potential for the system to provide a positive impact. However, there is a need for advancements in battery technology for this to be a possibility.

Renewable energies, and among them solar photovoltaics, are becoming more important in the last years due to the lack of fossil fuels and the environmental impact of them. PV installed capacity is increasing over and over in some countries and the prices of the installation are decreasing while the prices of the electricity are predicted to increase. Electricity use in buildings account for an important part of all electricity use in the world. This two facts make the PV installation in the rooftops of buildings a good opportunity to reduce the purchase of electricity from the grid.   The aim of the thesis is to analyze the profitability and the environmental impact (when using a hot water accumulator) of a PV system with different storage systems placed in the rooftop of two dwellings located in Gävle (Sweden). The storage systems can be either batteries or hot water accumulators. The purpose of the storage system is to increase the self-consumption rate of the PV system and to save the highest amount of money possible. It is also studied the difference of installing PbA and Li-ion batteries, and the reliability of the data used in the simulation of the alternative systems with the help of the software PVsyst.   Results show that the profitability of the proposed three alternative PV systems with storage is not higher than the PV system without storage. The reason for this has been found in the low prices of electricity and DH nowadays. Moreover, the impact of decreasing the heating demand from DH network does not benefit the environment, because the electricity has to be produced in power plants that produce more pollutants. It can be said also that the data obtained in PVsyst has been determined reliable and that the difference between the two types of batteries is not conclusive.   It can be concluded that if the cost of the PV systems or the batteries would decrease, the profitability will be higher. Furthermore, the increase in the price of electricity, DH or governmental subsidies would improve the results.

Energikonsumtionen ökar globalt och på grund av detta så behövs ökad energiproduktion. El från förnyelsebara källor är och kommer vara en nyckel för att klara av dessa energibehov och den kanske viktigaste energikällan är den primära solinstrålningen. Umeå energi gör en satsning på en solcellsanläggning vid Gammlia idrottsanläggning i Umeå och på grund av detta har en undersökning gjorts om energilagring i kombination med solcellerna. Solinstrålningen varierar över dygnet och året och därmed också elproduktionen. Solcellerna producerar endast el när solen skiner och ett sätt att ta del av den elen de perioder som inte solen lyser så kan vara energilagring. I rapportens första del har Två energilagringsmetoder undersökts, batterilagring och vätgaslagring. Metodernas funktionsprincip, för/nackdelar och en redogörelse huruvida de passar som energilagring i byggnader har gjorts. I den andra delen har beräkningar gjorts för möjligheterna att göra Gammlia idrottsanläggning självförsörjande på den producerade elen från solpanelerna. Rapportens första del har gjorts av en litteraturstudie av vetenskapliga rapporter och annat webbaserat material. Energiberäkningarna grundar sig från tillhandahållen information från Umeå energi samt tillgängliga beräkningsmetoder på internet. Batterier är en elektrokemisk lagringsform och fungerar så att en anod, en katod samt att elektrolyt används i samtliga tekniker. Fördelen med batterier är flexibiliteten och låga underhållskostnader medan den stora nackdelen är den låga energidensiteten. Vätgaslagring med hjälp av elektrolys är en metod där vätgas produceras av vatten och elektricitet. Fördelen är hög energidensitet och miljövänlig omvandling. Den största nackdelen är höga omvandlingsförluster. I undersökningen om möjligheter för energilagring i Gammlia idrottsanläggning undersöktes det om anläggningen kan göras självförsörjande på el på solcellerna. Det har konstaterats att det ej var genomförbart med den solcellsproduktion och de lagringstekniker som är aktuell i denna studie. En mindre omfattande lösning hittades som innebär dygnslagring under sommarmånaderna. Med hjälp av batterier kan energi producerad på dagen sparas och användas på kvällen/natten. Denna lösning är genomförbar rent tekniskt men inte ekonomiskt då förtjänsten är för liten i jämförelse med investeringskostnaden. / Energy consumption is increasing globally and because of this, increased energy production is necessary. Electricity from renewable sources is and will further be a key to meet the energy needs and perhaps the most important energy source is the sun. Umeå energi makes an investment in a photovoltaic system at Gammlia sports center in Umeå, and because of this, a study has been made on energy storage in combination with solar cells. Solar cells have a varied production, seen over the day and year. The solar cells only produce electricity when the sun is up, and energy storage is a possible solution for storing some of the energy produced during the day, to use later during the evening/night. The report's first section has two energy storage methods studied, battery storage and hydrogen storage. Methods for the operating principles, pros/cons and a statement whether they fit as energy storage in buildings has been made. In the second part, calculations have been made for the possibility of installing energy storage in Gammlia sports center for the electricity generated from the solar panels. The first part is made of a literature review of scientific reports and other web-based material. Energy estimates are based from the information provided from Umeå energy and the available methods of calculations on the web. Battery is an electrochemical storage shape and function to an anode, a cathode, and the electrolyte is used in all techniques. The advantage of batteries is the flexibility and low maintenance costs while the major drawback is the low energy density. Hydrogen storage using electrolysis is a method in which hydrogen produced from water and electricity. The advantage is the high energy density and environmentally friendly conversion. The main disadvantage is the high conversion losses. The survey on the possibilities for energy storage in the Gammlia sports facility, an investigation was made whether the plant could be made self-sufficient for electricity on the solar cells. It was costly that it was not feasible with the solar cell demodulation and storage technologies that are relevant in this study. A less comprehensive solution was found that involves daystorage in the summer months. Using batteries, energy produced on the day could be saved and used in the evening / night. This solution was feasible, purely technical, but not economical, as earnings were too small in comparison to investment cost.

The environmental awareness has led to many political decisions and initiated laws that regulate the market towards responsible energy usage. The demand of sustainable power has led to an increasing integration of renewable energy sources to the electric grid. Solar power is the 3rd largest renewable power source after wind and bio-power. One of the main reasons to this fast expansion is the German renewable energy act that has motivated households to install PV systems in their houses. This has led to a large amount of producers on the low-voltage network. The small scale producers receive compensation for electricity generated from the PV systems, both when it is used directly in the producer’s home and when it is sold to the grid due to low usage. The systems can be more profitable by storing the energy instead of selling it on the grid. In this way the amount of bought electricity can be reduced. There are concerns regarding the connection of renewable sources to the grid. This project aims to examine the impact from single-phase PV systems on the low-voltage grid. The focus of this bachelor thesis is understanding problems such as harmonic distortion and grid asymmetry. Simulations have been carried out using the software MATLAB in order to study harmonic distortion in the output of a single-phase PV system. Grid asymmetry is examined through calculations and simulations of a worst case scenario in the software NEPLAN. This scenario contains a low voltage grid with a star-star connected transformer, where all PV-systems are connected to the same phase. The simulations in combination with a literature review have provided the conclusion that harmonic distortion caused by the inverter becomes higher when the voltage supply is too low. Integration of battery energy storage systems together with PV systems does not cause additional harmonic distortion. The results also show how single-phase systems contribute to the asymmetry in the grid. When the production from the PV systems is high, and all systems are connected to a certain phase, the current and voltage will also have an impact on the other phases in the worst case scenario.

The increased penetration of residential-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems in European-style low voltage (LV) networks (i.e., long feeders with high number of connected customers) is leading to technical issues such as voltage rise and thermal overload of the most expensive network assets (i.e., transformer, cables). As these issues significantly limit the ability of LV networks to accommodate higher PV penetrations, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are required to proceed with expensive and time-consuming investments in order to reinforce or replace these assets. In contrast to this traditional approach of network reinforcement, which potentially leads to massive capital expenditure, the transition towards active LV networks where controllable elements, existing (i.e., PV systems) and likely to be adopted (i.e., battery energy storage systems, LV on-load tap changer transformers), can be managed in real-time, poses an attractive alternative. Although several active network management schemes have been recently proposed to increase the hosting capacity of PV-rich LV networks, they are mostly based on managing voltage issues only; and, in general, aim to solve technical issues separately. Integrated solutions aiming at managing simultaneously voltage and thermal issues are required, as recent studies demonstrate that both issues can coexist in PV-rich LV networks. More importantly the majority of studies, which commonly neglect the characteristics of real LV networks (e.g., unbalanced, three-phase, radial, multiple feeders with several branches, different types of customers), use complex optimisation techniques that require expensive communication infrastructure and extensive or full network observability (currently not available in LV networks). However, considering the extensiveness of LV networks around the world, practical, cost-effective and scalable solutions that use limited and already available information are more likely to be adopted by the industry. Considering the above gaps in the literature, this Thesis contributes by proposing innovative and scalable active network management schemes that use limited network monitoring and communication infrastructure to actively manage (1) Residential-scale PV systems, (2) Residential-scale Battery Energy Storage (BES) systems and (3) LV on-load tap changer (OLTC)-fitted transformers. The adoption of the proposed active network management schemes, which makes use of already available devices, information and requires limited monitoring (i.e., secondary distribution substation), allows making the transition towards active LV networks more practical and cost-effective. In addition, to tackle the challenges related to this research (i.e., lack of realistic LV network modelling with high resolution time-series analyses), this Thesis, being part of the industrial project 'Active Management of LV Networks' (funded by EDF R&D) and having access to French data, contributes by considering a fully modelled typical real residential French LV network (three-phase four-wire) with different characteristics and number of customers. Moreover, realistic (1-min resolution) daily time-series household (from real smart meter data) and PV generation profiles are considered while a stochastic approach (i.e., Monte Carlo) is adopted to cater for the uncertainties related to household demand as well as PV generation and location.

abstract: With growing concern regarding environmental issues and the need for a more sustainable grid, power systems have seen a fast expansion of renewable resources in the last decade. The uncertainty and variability of renewable resources has posed new challenges on system operators. Due to its energy-shifting and fast-ramping capabilities, energy storage (ES) has been considered as an attractive solution to alleviate the increased renewable uncertainty and variability. In this dissertation, stochastic optimization is utilized to evaluate the benefit of bulk energy storage to facilitate the integration of high levels of renewable resources in transmission systems. A cost-benefit analysis is performed to study the cost-effectiveness of energy storage. A two-step approach is developed to analyze the effectiveness of using energy storage to provide ancillary services. Results show that as renewable penetrations increase, energy storage can effectively compensate for the variability and uncertainty in renewable energy and has increasing benefits to the system. With increased renewable penetrations, enhanced dispatch models are needed to efficiently operate energy storage. As existing approaches do not fully utilize the flexibility of energy storage, two approaches are developed in this dissertation to improve the operational strategy of energy storage. The first approach is developed using stochastic programming techniques. A stochastic unit commitment (UC) is solved to obtain schedules for energy storage with different renewable scenarios. Operating policies are then constructed using the solutions from the stochastic UC to efficiently operate energy storage across multiple time periods. The second approach is a policy function approach. By incorporating an offline analysis stage prior to the actual operating stage, the patterns between the system operating conditions and the optimal actions for energy storage are identified using a data mining model. The obtained data mining model is then used in real-time to provide enhancement to a deterministic economic dispatch model and improve the utilization of energy storage. Results show that the policy function approach outperforms a traditional approach where a schedule determined and fixed at a prior look-ahead stage is used. The policy function approach is also shown to have minimal added computational difficulty to the real-time market. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Engineering 2016

Environmental issues are important challenges for today’s society. Lots of the energy used by humans comes from fossil energy sources resulting in the environmental threats. A considerable amount of this energy is used in the building sector. Industrial buildings and sports facilities are large users of energy and thus becomes very interesting in an optimization point of view. Modelling of the systems allows for cheap and effective optimizing of the energy usage and effectivity measures can be investigated and implemented. This study creates a model of the indoor ice rink arena of ABB arena syd in Västerås using TRNSYS as the main software for simulation. Focus is placed on the heating of the arena through heat pumps and district heating, and cooling of the ice in the arena using cooling machines. The effect of PV as well as a battery storage in the arena is also investigated as an effectiveness scenario. The results from the study revealed that it is possible to simulate the heating demand for the arena, accurately identifying the normal demand as well as the instances when the demand peaks and the magnitude of the peaks. It is also possible to simulate the cooling demand for the ice over extended time periods. However, this study could not identify the peaks for cooling demand. It is also beneficial for the system to install PV, but not a battery storage. With current price levels for electricity it is however not a very beneficial deal. With higher electricity prices the investment is preferable. The study also concludes that TRNSYS can be used for modelling an ice rink sports arena, however it leaves room for improvement on that aspect.