Deployment strategy for mobile batteries to alleviate low-voltage grid congestion
R.A.A. Vijverberg (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
P.W. Heijnen – Mentor (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)
Özge Okur – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - System Engineering)
Na Li – Graduation committee member (Ore Energy)
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Abstract
Congestion in low-voltage (LV) grids has become an increasingly urgent challenge in the Netherlands, driven by rising electricity demand and decentralised renewable energy generation. The installation of heavy electrical equipment, such as heat pumps, electrical vehicle chargers, and solar PV has intensified stress on LV-grids, which were not originally designed to accommodate high peak loads and bidirectional power flows. Traditional mitigation strategies, such as grid expansion, are often costly and time-consuming. As the pace of grid reinforcement fails to keep up with growing demand, there is a pressing need for alternative solutions that can relieve congestion in the short term. This thesis aims to develop and evaluate a practical, technology-indifferent deployment strategy for mobile batteries as a short-term solution to alleviate congestion in LV-grids, focusing on the battery charging profile and location. A case study in a Dutch LV-grid evaluates the deployment strategy based on congestion and applies a cost-comparison between the Lithium-ion battery (short-duration) and the Iron Air battery (long-duration). The analysis also considers practical factors, such as spatial constraints and liveability of the neighbourhood. This research found that the proposed deployment strategy significantly reduced daily system congestion by 84.6% to 99.8% and peak congestion by up to 88.1%, ensuring compliance with European grid standards. In addition, the Iron Air battery proved more cost-effective due to its lower energy capital costs and fewer required relocations. Nevertheless, neighbourhood-specific trade-offs arise due practical considerations, such as the Iron Air battery’s larger space occupation. These findings confirm that mobile batteries can play a critical role in bridging the gap between current LV-grid limitations and future infrastructure needs.