Energy storage generates reactive power

What are the main energy storage functionalities?

In addition, the main energy storage functionalities such as energy time-shift, quick energy injection and quick energy extraction are expected to make a large contribution to security of power supplies, power quality and minimization of direct costs and environmental costs ( Zakeri and Syri 2015 ).

How does a battery energy storage system work?

3.1. Battery Energy Storage System The BESS consists of an active front end (AFE), with a 30 kV A nominal power, connected to the grid and to a DC low voltage bus-bar at 600 V through a DC link supplied by a 20 kW DC/DC buck booster and a Li-Polymer battery with 70 A h and 16 kW h total capacity.

Why is reactive power important?

For some customers, this charge can be significant, and being able to produce reactive power dynamically in sub-seconds can yield meaningful savings. An example is the traditional grid-tied solar home. Since solar energy only generates real power, reactive power can’t be supplied locally.

What are the benefits of local production of reactive power?

Local production of reactive power allows utilities to manage grid capacity more effectively, reduce oversupply, and better anticipate energy needs. In the example above, after the Honolulu system had operated for over a year, the utility increased the condominium complex’s interconnection size because of the benefits to the local grid.

Why is reactive power so expensive?

The grid produces reactive power to transmit energy and deliver it to customers to operate AC equipment. But reactive power is difficult to transmit over long distances and at high voltage due to inefficiencies related to line losses and, thus, is correspondingly expensive.

Does reactive power control affect a distribution feeder?

One way to mitigate such effects is using battery energy storage systems (BESSs), whose technology is experiencing rapid development. In this context, this work studies the influence that the reactive power control dispatched from BESS can have on a real distribution feeder considering its original configuration as well as a load transfer scenario.