Sizing and siting of large-scale batteries in transmission grids to optimize the use of renewables

Power systems are a recent field of application of complex network research, which allows performing large-scale studies and evaluations. Based on this theory, a power grid is modeled as a weighted graph with several kinds of nodes and edges, and further analysis can help in investigating the behavior of the grid under critical conditions. Among the crucial aspects of a power network, those concerning flow limits and power flow distribution are gaining relevance due to the increasing introduction of large-scale renewable energy generation facilities. Storage systems are a key element in having a more sustainable but still reliable grid. This paper focuses on a new research challenge regarding the siting of the storage on the transmission grid and its appropriate sizing. The problem is tackled by considering realistic configurations based on the IEEE-RTS-96 bus and data coming from the Italian transmission operator, and evaluating novel economic and complex network-based metrics on these configurations. Power flows are modeled in a linear way, and the representative optimization problem is expressed as a linear programming problem. The results show the potential benefits of storage in transmission lines and indicate that the siting has a minor role in the optimal operation of the system.