Grid Connected PV - Battery System (Residential Application)

Grid-connected PV-battery energy system provides a valid basis for improving energy self-sufficiency of a residence at location of choice.

The requirement for safe, reliable and economical electricity for residential use has driven the necessity to implement integrated systems of photovoltaic generation and battery storage in grid-connected environments. This research proposes the design of a grid-connected photovoltaic and battery energy system for a residence on the selected location. Technical soundness of the designed system, provision of stable power for load support and reduced reliance on the grid without any compromised operation throughout all seasons, especially the unfavourable ones, are the key goals of this work.

A photovoltaic power generation of 10 kW was implemented as the core generation system to satisfy residential load requirements as well as to provide a continuous power source for the whole year. The size of the battery energy storage system was chosen to maintain a continuous supply during the periods where generation is at its minimum, and also during highly demanding periods of operation. The charging/discharging operation of the battery energy storage was set between 20%-90% to avoid frequent and potentially unstable operation of the battery. Energy management system was designed to efficiently control the power flow from photovoltaic generation to the load, storage and/or the grid connection.

Simulation results of system operation showed that the configured system can achieve a stable operation, has capability of energy exchange in both directions and the designed grid-connected photovoltaic-battery energy system provides a valid basis for improving the energy self-sufficiency of a residence.