Long-term sizing of lead-acid batteries in order to reduce technical losses on distribution networks: A distributed generation approach

The increase in the consumption of electric energy and its reflexes have brought new problems and challenges to engineering. One of such problems is the understanding of the effects that occur on electric energy distribution networks with distributed generation (DG), mainly with photovoltaic (PV) cells. Due to the nature of this type of system and the consumer demand profile connected at the distribution network, increases in technical losses are usually detected. In this scenario, the use of energy storage systems (ESS) is highlighted, which sets as one of its objectives the reduction of such losses. In this sense, this article proposes the sizing of the capacity of ESS, using the lead-acid type battery, for the reduction in technical losses in distribution networks with high PV penetration. In order to verify the proposed method, simulations and analyses are performed taking into account the State of Charge (SoC), the Depth of Discharge (DoD), the State of Health (SoH), and the energy consumed over the total life span of the ESS. One short-term and two long-term (for 5 and 10 years) sizing were made. In comparison with the short-term sizing, it is projected a loss reduction of 33% more for the 5 years long-term sizing, with an investment reduction of 14% at the end of the third short-time sized batteries change. For the 10 years long-term size, a 50% greater loss reduction is projected, in comparison to that over the short-term sizing, along the battery life span, with an investment reduction of 11% from the first battery acquisition.