Community energy storage-based energy trading management for cost benefits and network support

In this paper, the extent to which the integration of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) power with a community energy storage (CES) system can reduce energy cost and distribution network (DN) loss is explored. To this end, three energy trading systems (ETSs) are compared; first, an ETS where PV users exchange energy with the CES system in addition to the grid, second, an ETS where PV users merely exchange energy with the CES system, and third, an ETS where PV users only exchange energy with the grid. A multi-objective optimization framework, combined with a linear distribution network power flow model, is developed to study the trade-off between the energy cost and network power loss reductions while satisfying the DN voltage and current flow limits. Simulations, with real energy demand and PV power data, highlight that enabling the energy exchange between the users and the CES system can give a better trade-off between the DN power loss and energy cost reductions. Further, simulations demonstrate that all three ETSs deliver nearly 85% DN energy loss reduction with significantly increased revenues compared to an ETS without a CES system.