Experimental tests to recover the photovoltaic power by battery system

The uncertainty and variability of the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) power plants within the power grid is an open issue. The present study focuses on the use of batteries to overcome the limitations associated with the photovoltaic inverter operation, trying to maximize the global energy produced. A set of switches, was placed between a few photovoltaic modules and a commercial inverter, capable to change configuration of the plant dynamically. Such system stores the power that the inverter is not able to let into the grid inside batteries. At the base of this optimization, there is the achievement of two main configurations in which the batteries and the photovoltaic modules are electrically connected in an appropriate manner as a function of inverter efficiency and thus solar radiation. A control board and the relative program, to change the configuration, was designed and implemented, based on the value of the measured radiation, current, batteries voltage, and calculated inverter efficiency. Finally from the cost and impact analysis we can say that, today the technology of lithium batteries, for this application, is still too expensive in comparison with lead-acid batteries

Levelized Cost of Storage for Li-Ion Batteries Used in PV Power Plants for Ramp-Rate Control

Photovoltaic (PV) power production ramp-rate control is getting more and more important in weak electric power systems, in which quick and significant power fluctuations can affect the stability of the system. This can be achieved by means of the integration of batteries into large PV plants but such an operation involves an aggressive environment for the ageing of the batteries. This paper presents an evaluation of this ageing by means of the annual simulations of a large PV power plant using actual irradiance data. This is done for different battery sizes used under various degrees of limitation in the power ramp-rate variation. The levelized cost of storage is calculated for each of the cases considered

Optimized profitability of LFP and NMC Li-ion batteries in residential PV applications

This paper analyses the economic profitability provided by different types of Li-ion batteries when used in residential solar applications under a Model Predictive Control that optimizes the operation of the system. The control methodology takes profit of actually commercial time-of-use rates to minimize the operation costs. Also, the analysis takes into account the progressive degradation of the batteries involved by using state-of-the-art semi-empirical ageing models. The study is performed by means of annual simulations that use actual consumption curves for three different households and real PV production batteries, with extended lifetime warranties and prices below 600 e/kWh, under optimized operation and use even when only energy arbitrage and peak shaving services are considered

Techno-economic feasibility of retired electric-vehicle batteries repurpose/reuse in second-life applications: A systematic review

In line with the global target in decarbonising the transportation sector and the noticeable increase of new electric vehicles (EV) owners, concerns are raised regarding the expected quantity of Retired EV Batteries (REVB) exposed to the environment when they reach 70–80% of their original capacity. However, there is significant potential for REVB, after deinstallation, to deliver energy for alternative applications such as storing surplus. This systematic review evaluates state-of-art modelling/experimental studies focused on repurposing REVB in second-life applications. Technical and economic viability of REVB repurposing has been confirmed to solve the unreliability of cleaner energy technologies and mitigate the high investment of new storage systems. 40% of included studies considered hybrid systems with PV being a dominant technology where REVB was evaluated to be small-scaled and large storage systems. Additionally, successful attempts were conducted to evaluate REVB performance in providing grid services. It has however, been discovered intensive grid services applications like frequency regulation, was technically challenging due to demanding working requirements. Reviewed studies considered different prices for REVB due to lack of market regulation on REVB resale; similarly, technical parameters, including initial State of Health (SoH) and State of Charge (SoC) constraints were inconsistent due to lack of standardisation

Effects on environmental impacts of introducing electric vehicle batteries as storage - A case study of the United Kingdom

This paper examines the potential environmental impact of using electric vehicle batteries as storage in relation to an energy system as it moves towards the goal of net-zero emissions in 2050. The electrified transportation sector is an inevitable step towards a more sustainable energy system to meet climate change mitigation. Large-scale deployment of electric vehicles increases electricity demand whilst simultaneously presenting an opportunity to use electric vehicle batteries to shift peak demand through vehicle to grid, battery swapping, and reuse of retired vehicle batteries. The environmental consequence of using electric vehicle batteries as energy storage is analysed in the context of energy scenarios in 2050 in the United Kingdom. The results show that using an electric vehicle battery for energy storage through battery swapping can help decrease investigated environmental impacts; a further reduction can be achieved by using retired electric vehicle batteries. Using an electric vehicle battery for energy storage through a vehicle to grid mechanism has the potential to reduce environmental impacts if the impact of cycle degradation is minimal compared with calendar degradation. This balance is dependent upon the lithium-ion chemistry, temperature and mileage driven

End-of-Life management of wind turbines, PV modules and Lithium-Ion batteries: Current practices and closing the circular economy gap

Renewable energy generation and increased electrification are pivotal to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Consequently, global deployment of wind turbines, PV modules and electric vehicles has soared, and the trend is expected to continue. These technologies have only recently started reaching the end of their design lives, and rapid escalation of end-of-life (EoL) waste volumes are projected. This study responds to the imminent waste issue by researching current EoL management practices, initiatives and regulations of these three technologies in Canada and globally. Through extensive literature review and communications with select experts in the EoL field, it also seeks to identify factors that impede current EoL management efforts to close the circular economy gap and those that can support the overall sustainability of deploying these technologies. The EoL management of these technologies is in the early stages and many innovative initiatives are being explored and developed. There are currently few proven business cases, and barriers to the EoL strategies’ profitability and effectiveness include insufficient waste feedstock, inadequate collection infrastructure and second-life markets, and uncertainty about the assets’ remaining useful life. Designing for circularity, collaboration between supply chain stakeholders, circular business models and technology-specific regulations that incorporate extended producer responsibility, second-life targets and circular solutions can help progress the technologies toward improved sustainability. The research found that EoL management is a complex but necessary undertaking that needs to consider multiple, often conflicting factors. Additionally, the technologies and their EoL management practices are dynamic and fast-changing. Hence this study's findings are best viewed as compelling evidence of the increasing need for robust EoL management and a demonstration of potential solutions rather than absolute conclusions