Analysis of storage technologies within smart grid framework

Abstract

The power systems sector is undergoing a complete overhaul to a smarter system, in which the consumers are becoming prosumers. Energy storage is a vital component of the smart grids that are currently being built around the world. These grids are designed to improve the reliability of electricity transmission and distribution, facilitate the integration of renewable energy generators and allow long - distance trading of electricity supplies. The efficiency of the power supplied by the renewable energy sources can be maximized when paired with an energy storage system. In this framework, current paper is addressing the issues of batteries capacity, prices and reliability. In the first section, a general analysis was performed, aimed at accurately identifying the current state-of-the art of storage systems. An example was designed, starting from a real electric distribution system, in order to create an array of possible issues and solutions which will be further scrutinized.