Description:

Growth in solar PV and wind generation penetration and uptake of EV, PHEV and its charging infrastructure will create issues around power system operation and stability which enables the need for Energy Storage Systems (ESS). The current global installed capacity of ESS are mostly based on pumped hydro and compressed air-based energy storage technology. However, with very fast response time, good power density & specific energy, very low O&M cost, high round-trip efficiency, low depth of discharge, high cycling capability and very low self-discharge rate, Li-ion based BESS are considered as one of the most optimal battery energy storage technology for grid-scale applications.

Grid-interconnection of BESS to MV/LV distribution network would impact the distribution network voltage profile, thermal loading, power flow, safety, and protection. Grid-interconnections standards and guidelines mandate the interconnection requirements to regulate general technical requirements, power quality requirements and safety and protection requirements. However, currently there are no interconnection standard or guideline exclusively for BESS.

Type:

Undergraduate

Outcome:

• Systematic review of DR interconnection standards and guidelines  for BESS.
• Emulation of BESS responses using Battery Emulator and Grid Simulator in Power Systems Laboratory.
• Safety, Protection and Automation guidelines for Lithium-Ion based BESS connected to MV distribution network
• Potential case study using data and performance of distribution grid installations of BESS in New Zealand.

Prerequisites

Preferably one student enrolled in ELECTENG 731 in semester 1 and ELECTENG 703 in semester 2 of 2020.

Specialisations

• Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Categories

• Power Systems

Supervisor

• Nirmal Nair

Co-supervisor

Team

• Adrienne Penewi
• Amitesh Ram

Lab

Lab allocations have not been finalised