TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC CLUSTERING OF ENERGY COMMUNITIES FOR CENTRALIZED BATTERY STORAGE IN MEDIUM-VOLTAGE NETWORKS

Resumo

In medium-voltage electrical networks with a high presence of photovoltaic generation, energy communities often produce large surpluses during periods of high solar irradiance, creating technical challenges such as voltage regulation issues, reverse power flows, and the need for curtailment of renewable generation, as well as economic challenges due to reduced return on investment of these systems. A standard solution to address these challenges is the installation of battery storage systems at each transformer; however, this approach results in high initial costs, increased dependence on government incentives, and greater operational complexity due to the large number of units required. This paper presents a novel methodology for the technical and economic clustering of neighboring communities, enabling the use of centralized storage at strategic points in the network. A case study in a Brazilian neighborhood shows that the proposed solution can reduce investment costs, enhance network performance, and improve the economic viability of renewable energy utilization.