Experimental performance evaluation of self-consumption photovoltaic system with energy storage using TRNSYS

The optimal sizing of a Photovoltaic Battery System (PVBS) is a critical challenge due to the large number of parameters that can affect their optimization. It is sometimes difficult to recreate some experimental circumstances due to limitations presented in real prototypes. Consequently, a PVBS simulation model was created, and the anti-dumping mechanism was implemented in the software TRNSYS (Transient System Simulation Tool). Subsequently, experimental data obtained from a real system were used for validation through an error metric approach, in which the deviation of the measured and simulated values of the system in terms of final energy accumulated during the entire test was evaluated. The accuracy of the model was mainly affected by the fixed simulation step since the energy variability was imperceptible due to the sensitivity of the model, and the programming of some components, which overlooked aspects such as the connection between photovoltaic panels, the variability of energy efficiency, and the operating voltage levels during the operation of the system components. However, the trend of measured and simulated results was similar during the tests, obtaining mean absolute error values of approximately 4.00 kWh/day for the charged/discharged energy in the battery and the generated energy, and mean relative error values below 10.00 % in all cases, 3.07 % in the solar generated energy, 3.81 % in the discharged energy from the battery and 8.85 % in the charged energy in the battery. Thus, it was demonstrated that the use of TRNSYS to simulate a model of a grid-interconnected battery PV system with the implementation of the anti-dumping mechanism was satisfactory, allowing ad infinitum testing and control of a larger number of variables.