Optimization of Electrochemical Storage in a Prosumer Node

It is well known that renewable (wind and solar) distributed sources are normally random and intermittent. That is why at certain times of the day the Distribution System Operator (DSO) of a smart grid may have to handle energy surpluses that are difficult to control and could eventually undermine the whole operation of a local distribution system. This problem can be solved, of course, using properly dimensioned, efficient storage systems. The issue may affect either one individual prosumer node or more complex systems, consisting of a smart grid and a number of prosumer nodes connected to it. In any case, regardless of their complexity, modern electrical systems are to be managed through automatic integrated controls, able to take into account at the same time also how much energy is to be produced, consumed and stored. In addition, reference should be made to predictive methods, which have to take into consideration such other factors as local weather conditions, the habits of the people occupying the building and current energy prices. In this work, a storage control system is described with a management model consisting of a single prosumer node interfaced with a smart grid DSO. In order to better identify the model representing the behavior of a storage battery, reference is to be made to charging and discharging processes, which do not take place simultaneously and therefore allow the requested models to be defined independently. For the control system to operate correctly, it is necessary to acquire information about the status of the storage system, such as the charge level and the instantaneous power delivered or absorbed by the batteries. The proposed automatic management system was analyzed through numerical simulations, which are also reported and commented.