Quantum mechanics

Algorithm

Engineering

Ecology

Biology

Statistics

Environmental economics

Linear programming

Pumped-storage hydroelectricity

Energy (signal processing)

Operating system

Economics

Power (physics)

Computer science

Mathematical optimization

Distributed generation

Thermodynamics

Physics

Operations research

Climate change

Renewable energy

Mathematics

Energy storage

Process engineering

Environmental science

Carbon capture and storage (timeline)

Wind power

Schedule

Electricity

Electrical engineering

Energy Conversion and Management

In this paper, we investigate how energy storage can be used to increase the value of community energy schemes through cost reductions, infrastructure support, increased scheme membership, and reduced carbon emissions. A linear programming optimisation framework is developed to schedule the operation of behind-the-meter energy storage such that costs are minimised, while keeping peak demands within allowable limits. This is also extended to model generation-integrated energy storage systems, where the storage is located in the flow of energy from primary source (e.g. wind) to a usable form (e.g. electricity). To demonstrate the potential of energy storage within a real community energy scheme, we present a case study of a community hydro scheme in North Wales, considering both battery storage and a reservoir-based storage system. It is found that either system can be used to substantially increase the membership of the scheme while avoiding impacts on the electricity network, but that storage remains prohibitively expensive when used for self-consumption of renewables and arbitrage. We also investigate the impacts of energy storage on the community's carbon emissions, showing that storage operation appears to provide very little additional reduction in emissions when grid average emissions factors are used.

Community energy storage: A case study in the UK using a linear programming method