Thesis

Impacts of short-duration batteries on Great Britain’s electrical power system and networks

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2025
Thesis identifier
  • T17507
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201790379
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Abstract
  • This work considers the potential for flexibility providers in general, and batteries specifically, to lower the cost of the Great Britain (GB)’s electricity system, by reducing the amount of network reinforcement that would otherwise be necessary. In GB, batteries and other storage assets engage in numerous activities, among them, wholesale trades, an activity this work simulates for case study periods during 2022. The hypothesis: “a rational battery, engaged in wholesale trades, will not export at times of high wind energy availability in Scotland, nor will it add to transmission network congestion” was investigated and clearly found against. A second hypothesis “deployment of suitably-sized distribution-connected batteries, engaged in wholesale electricity trades, will not increase congestion on distribution networks servicing residential load demand and windfarms” was investigated at six locations in southern Scotland, and also found against, regarding both import and export flows. Given these findings, unfortunate especially for bill-payers, a possible mitigation, “non-firm” connections for batteries, was explored. This work found that, in most of the six above distribution locations studied, batteries could be significantly oversized, by up to 10 – 20 MW, compared to network spare capacity, before experiencing significant financial detriment from curtailment. Finally, this work investigates whether battery-triggered network reinforcement, or battery curtailment, might be the “lower overall cost” option, at the case study locations studied. A range of battery sizes for which battery curtailment would appear to be the “lower cost” option was identified, together with relevant sensitivities. This consideration is complicated by the different parties on which the costs would fall, and identification of the appropriate comparison: “reinforce or not?”, or “reinforce sooner or later?” The work also considered to what extent current arrangements encourage a “lowest overall cost approach”, and whether that is even the most pertinent consideration, given that both network reinforcement, and also addition of batteries, could potentially provide wider value for other connecting customers, and for network operability. The work concludes by answering the research questions posed, suggesting further work, and proposing some recommendations for policy makers.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Galloway, Stuart
  • Bell, Keith
  • Hawker, Graeme
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