Energy Storage in Power System Operation: The Power Nodes Modeling Framework

A novel concept for system-level consideration of energy storage in power grids with dispatchable and non-dispatchable generators and loads is presented. Grid-relevant aspects such as power ratings, ramp-rate constraints, efficiencies, and storage capacities of the interconnected units are modeled, while technology dependent and physical unit properties are abstracted from. This allows the modeling of a technologically diverse unit portfolio with a unified approach. The concept can be used for designing operation strategies for power systems, especially in the presence of non-dispatchable generation and significant storage capacities, as well as for the evaluation of operational performance in terms of energy efficiency, reliability, environmental impact, and cost. After introducing the modeling approach and a taxonomy of unit types, a simulation example is presented for illustration.