Lead–acid batteries coupled with photovoltaics for increased electricity self-sufficiency in households. (15th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Oliveira e Silva, Guilherme; Hendrick, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 178(2016)
• Page Start: 856
• Page End: 867
• Publication Date: 2016-09-15
• Subjects: Home energy storage -- Distributed energy storage -- Lead–acid battery energy storage -- Self-sufficiency -- Photovoltaics (PV) -- Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE); Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: Grid parity is reached for PV installations up to nearly 40% self-sufficiency. Reaching beyond 40% self-sufficiency requires storage and support policies. Peak consumption remains constant but load variability rises with self-sufficiency. Changes in power plants portfolio and wholesale electricity prices are expected. Limiting feed-in power is a promising solution for reducing load variability. Abstract: With distributed generation of electricity growing in importance (especially with photovoltaics) and buildings being one of the main consumers of energy in modern societies, distributed storage of energy in buildings is expected to become increasingly present. This paper analyses the use of residential lead–acid energy storage coupled with photovoltaics and its possible interaction with the grid for different limits of feed-in power without any support policies. In the literature, these subjects are often treated independently and for very specific, non-optimised cases, thus motivating further research. Results show that reaching self-sufficiency values up to 40% is possible, close to grid parity values, and only with photovoltaics. Beyond 40%, energy storage must be used, strongly raising the cost of the electricity consumed and therefore the need for support policies for widespread adoption. Also, peak power consumption from the grid remains constant and load variability rises, suggesting that an increase in self-sufficiency would be accompanied by lower utilisation factors of power plants and, consequently, higher wholesale electricity prices during no sunshine hours. Limiting feed-in power attenuates the increased load variability and only slightly affects the economic viability of such installations. These results present a novel optimisation tool for developers and should be considered in future studies of distributed photovoltaics and energy storage as well as in energy policy.