A detailed analysis of decentralized positioning effects on hybrid electricity storage systems

• Efficiency-optimised central management of a complex hybrid storage system. • Technical characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, pumped hydro & power-to-gas. • Storage dispatch covers active power, congestion relief and reactive power support. • SimBench 110, 220 and 380 kV benchmark grid enables 100 % renewable grid assessment. • Scenario-based approach compares placement and configuration effects. The presented analysis explores how different electric energy storage placement strategies and technology configurations influence a hybrid storage system and the grid in a 100 % renewable electricity context. Within the scope of this research is a triple-technology hybrid system (lithium-ion battery, pumped hydro, power-to-gas), which is analysed through scenario-based load flow simulations using the pandapower library in combination with the SimBench high-voltage “1-HV-mixed–2-sw” benchmark grid. Besides system-wide active power provision, local congestion management and reactive power support are considered, offering a comprehensive view of the multifaceted roles hybrid storages can play. Results reveal that batteries and power-to-gas units profit from system-wide dispatch, whereas pumped hydro storages are more frequently employed for congestion management. The scenario with the most decentralized placement of 732 small storage units operates on a micro-scale for reactive power dispatch during 38 % of the reference period, while the scenario emphasizing 12 large storage units located at central nodes, observes reactive power supply only during 17.5 % but with greater amplitudes. Batteries located at generator buses achieve the highest voltage improvements. This scenario as well as the centralized storage placement reduce total storage losses up to 82 % and import requirements up to 92 % compared to less efficient scenarios. The findings illustrate how placement and technology choices interact to influence efficiency, storage utilization, voltage stability and congestion management. This work contributes by providing a transparent, technology-based evaluation that extends the scope of research on complex hybrid storage systems and complements optimization-driven approaches.