Can community scale energy storage and grid-aware control mitigate distribution grid challenges?

The power distribution grids of today face significant challenges due to the increasing integration of distributed renewable generation capacities and rising electricity demand from electrification of the heating and mobility sectors. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) offer a promising solution to match supply and demand on a distribution grid scale, reducing strain on grid infrastructure and delaying costly expansions. Energy communities have emerged as a crucial mechanism to enhance end-customer engagement and introduce new business models for renewable energy adoption. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of shared community storage systems on key grid parameters. Using a combination of community simulation and optimal resource sizing methodologies, we explore the effects of economically viable community-scale storage systems on multiple key performance indicators for distribution grids. The study results suggest that the application of energy storage solutions can mitigate transformer overloading issues.