Optimization of Sizing and Placement of Energy Storage Systems on an Islanded Grid with High Penetration of Renewables

This thesis seeks to find an optimized energy storage system (ESS) solution that reduces the effects of power variations and fluctuations from renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This study focuses on the effects of renewables at penetration levels larger than 20% for an isolated power grid. This optimized energy storage solution includes sizing the ESS appropriately while taking into account the economic cost of deploying the ESS. The ideal placement of the ESS on this grid seeks to reduce any impact on grid transmission congestion due to the ESS. Two configurations of the grid were modeled; the first is a simple load-frequency control model of the grid that only examines the effect of active power fluctuations from the renewables on the grid. The other model uses a one-line transmission line model of the isolated grid to model the transmission congestion in the grid. Modeling has shown that ESS systems are capable of reducing the frequency variations and reducing power fluctuations, however there is a trade off in economic cost.