Comparison of decentralised and centralised grid-compatible battery storage systems in distribution grids with high PV penetration

Because of the high amount of installed solar power systems in Europe and especially Germany, the low-voltage distribution grids reach their maximum capacities during periods of high insolation. As an alternative to grid reinforcement, local battery storage systems can be used to store the surplus generation and limit the feed-in power of the solar power systems. For this purpose, decentralised photovoltaic (PV) home storages in single households and larger stationary battery systems supplying a whole local grid area can be called into action. In this paper, a grid-compatible storage operational strategy is simulated using standard load profiles and statistically generated realistic load profiles for use with both storage types. The goal of this research is to investigate a grid-compatible and also economic storage operation when using centralized large-scale batteries instead of PV home storage systems in a low-voltage distribution grid with a high degree of decentralised PV generation. Results show that large-scale systems provide advantages regarding grid-related operation and economic feasibility and therefore represent a useful alternative to home storage systems. Additionally, it can be shown that depending on which storage type is simulated, different requirements are imposed. The simulation of decentralised home storages needs real load profiles in order to receive realistic results, while the operation of large-scale battery storages can be simulated using standard load profiles.