Flexible management and decarbonisation of rural networks using multi-objective battery control

To support the electrification of heat and transport, distribution network operators are looking to adopt network management solutions which can exploit local flexibility to advance their decarbonisation efforts in line with the evolving management requirements of the network. This paper develops a multi-functional battery control strategy that integrates constraint management with carbon-intensity linked control dispatch – carbon control – to support decarbonisation of rural distribution networks in Scotland by displacing last resort backup diesel generation and facilitating low carbon network balancing in the drive towards self-sustaining local distribution networks. The interplay between the different functionalities is considered to understand the challenges, and opportunities, of adopting multi-functional battery storage as an alternative management solution based on an operational distribution network in Scotland. Case studies are presented which consider network constraints at different times of day and year for various generation, demand and carbon intensity profiles to support this investigation. The findings of this work provide for the near-term, realisation of self-sustaining carbon-neutral local distribution networks that are in keeping with both the operational objectives of incumbent network operators, smart local energy systems and also low carbon policy objectives.