Open-Access Model of a PV–BESS System

Abstract

Energy storage is vital for a future where energy generation transitions from a fossil fuels-based one to an energy system that relies heavily on clean energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV) solar energy. To foster this transition, engineers and practitioners must have open-access models of PV systems coupled with battery storage systems (BESS). These models are fundamental to quantifying their economic and technical merits during the design phase. This paper contributes in this direction by carefully describing a model that accurately represents the power directions and energy dealings between the PV modules, the battery pack, and the loads. Moreover, the general model can be implemented using two different PV generation methods, the Gaussian model and the meteorological data-based model (MDB). We found that the MDB model is more appropriate for short-term analysis compared to the Gaussian model, while for long-term studies, the Gaussian model is closer to measured data. Moreover, the proposed model can reproduce two different energy management strategies: peak-shaving and maximizing self-consumption, allowing them to be used during PV–BESS sizing stages. Furthermore, the results obtained by the simulation are closed when compared to a real grid-tied PV–BESS, demonstrating the model’s validity.