Optimal Allocation of Energy Storage Systems for Voltage Control in LV Distribution Networks

This paper addresses the problem of finding the optimal configuration (number, locations, and sizes) of energy storage systems (ESSs) in a radial low voltage distribution network with the aim of preventing over-and undervoltages. A heuristic strategy based on voltage sensitivity analysis is proposed to select the most effective locations in the network where to install a given number of ESSs, while circumventing the combinatorial nature of the problem. For fixed ESS locations, the multi-period optimal power flow framework is adopted to formulate the sizing problem, for whose solution convex relaxations based on semidefinite programming are exploited. Uncertainties in the storage sizing decision problem due to stochastic generation and demand, are accounted for carrying out the optimal sizing over different realizations of the demand and generation profiles, and then taking a worst-case approach to select the ESS sizes. The final choice of the most suitable ESS configuration is done by minimizing a total cost, which takes into account the number of storage devices, their total installed capacity and average network losses. The proposed algorithm is extensively tested on 200 randomly generated radial networks, and successfully applied to a real Italian low voltage network and a modified version of the IEEE 34-bus test feeder.