Energy Storage Analysis Case Studies

This section of the wiki contains a collection of energy storage valuation and feasibility studies that represent some of the most relevant applications for storage on an ongoing basis. Each of the analyses in this report is based on a real case study performed by EPRI. These analyses pair the Storage Value Estimation Tool(StorageVET®) or the Distributed Energy Resources Value Estimation Tool (DER-VET™) with other grid simulation tools and analysis techniques to establish the optimal size, best use of, expected value of, or technical requirements for energy storage in a range of use cases, including distribution deferral, transmission deferral, renewables integration, market participation, and microgrid applications.

For a more detailed discussion of energy storage modeling, valuation, and available tools, see the Energy Storage Valuation page.

The analysis case studies are divided into categories below. You can search for keywords using the search bar in the top right of the table.

Title	Type	Keywords
Stacking Reliability with System-Level Services from Energy Storage	Customer	Customer, Wholesale, Service Stacking, Ancillary Services, Reliability, Backup Power, Resource Adequacy, Load Following.
Valuation of Hydrogen Technology on the Electric Grid Using Production Cost Modeling	Wholesale	Hydrogen, Valuation, Capacity Planning, Production Cost Modeling, Cost Analysis, Resource Adequacy, Sizing,
Energy Storage to Offset Need for New Transmission	Transmission	Transmission, Deferral, PSS/E, Synergi, OpenDSS, N-1, Sizing, Service Stacking, Energy Time Shifting, Ancillary Services, Spinning Reserves, Frequency Regulation
Distribution Capacity from Energy Storage and Demand Side Management	Distribution	Non-Wires Solutions, NWS, Screening, Feeder, Deferral, Sizing, Clipping, Planning, Linear Power Flow, QSTS, DSM
Military Installation Microgrids	Reliability and Resilience	Energy Security, Microgrids, Diesel Generators, Distributed Generation, Department of Defense, DoD, ESTCP, Design, Optimization, Sizing, Cost-Effectiveness, Self-Generation, Bill Reduction, UPS, Uninterruptible Power Supply, Emissions, Fueled
Emissions in Dispatch Optimization	Wholesale	Marginal Emissions, microgrid, solar, energy time shifting, CAISO, ERCOT, pareto-optimal
Combined Heat and Power	Customer	CHP, Combined Heat and Power, Fueled Distributed Generation, Cogeneration, Commercial, Industrial, Thermal, Domestic Hot Water, DHW, Steam, Cooling, Chillers, Boilers
Distribution Capacity from Energy Storage	Distribution	Non-Wires Solutions, NWS, Screening, Feeder, Deferral, Sizing, Clipping, Planning, Linear Power Flow, QSTS
Value Streams in ConEd Territory	Wholesale	New York, Valuation, Service Stacking, Business Models, Ownership Models, Interconnection, NYISO, Non-Wires Solutions, VDER, Deferral, BTM, FTM
Increase PV Hosting Capacity with Energy Storage	Distribution	Hosting Capacity, Distribution, Distributed Generation, Solar, Non-Linear Power Flow, QSTS
Decarbonizing Resilience	Reliability and Resilience	Emissions, Wildfires, Public Safety Power Shutoffs, Microgrids, Technoeconomic Analysis, Distributed Generation, Fueled, Distribution
Large-Scale Solar PV Plus Storage Siting Analysis and Market Participation	Wholesale	Transmission, Technoeconomic Analysis, California Senate Bill SB 801, LADWP, Ancillary Services, Frequency Response, Energy Time Shifting, Spinning Reserves
Feasibility of Large Storage with High Renewable Penetration	Wholesale	PPA, Solar, Spinning Reserves, Energy Time Shifting, Ancillary Services, Frequency Response,
Eskom Battery Energy Storage System Assessment Case Study	Distribution	Eskom, South Africa, Sizing, Peak Shaving, Resource Adequacy, Wind, Curtailment, Harmonics, Frequency Response, Frequency Regulation, Ancillary Services, Interconnection
Distribution Upgrade Deferral with Energy Storage Screening Analysis	Deferral	Screening, Deferral, Sizing
Customer Reliability (Backup) from Economically-Optimal Storage	Customer	Demand Charge Management, DCM, Backup Power, Reliability, Sizing, Service Stacking
Distribution Reliability Improvement (Backup) from Energy Storage	Distribution	Non-Wires Solutions, NWS, Screening, Feeder, Deferral, Sizing, Clipping, Planning, Siting, Microgrid

PRIMARY AUDIENCE: Utilities who are exploring use cases for energy storage systems

KEY RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the high-value applications and associated limitations for energy storage systems on an ongoing basis as demonstrated by contemporary, relevant case studies?

RESEARCH OVERVIEW: The Storage Value Estimation Tool (StorageVET®) or the Distributed Energy Resources Value Estimation Tool (DER-VET™) was used with other grid simulation tools and analysis techniques to establish the optimal size, best use of, expected value of, or technical requirements for energy storage in a range of use cases, including distribution deferral, transmission deferral, renewables integration, market participation, and microgrid applications.was used along with transmission and distribution simulation tools and complex analysis methodologies to uncover the value and technical feasibility of energy storage systems in transmission and distribution investment deferral, market participation, and renewables integration use cases.

KEY FINDINGS:

• There are real examples where the flexibility offered by storage systems can provide an enormous amount of value relative to their cost, but careful identification, planning, and operation are required.
• When implementing very high penetrations of renewable energy, energy storage can offer a cost-effective and clean method for reconciling intermittent generation and load while maintain grid stability.
• Reconciling the differences in lifetime between storage systems and other grid assets through an approach like economic carrying cost is critical for establishing a level comparison.

WHY THIS MATTERS: Storage systems benefit from a clear definition of a primary service that is highly valuable, around which flexible, lower-value services can be stacked.

HOW TO APPLY RESULTS: The analyses in this report serve as excellent examples of technical feasibility and valuation studies for energy storage implementation EPRI software such as StorageVET and OpenDSS. They should be treated as model studies that can be replicated by the user for their own purposes. Additionally, they are a clear cross-section of highly relevant, contemporary use cases for energy storage systems that exemplify how valuable the flexibility they offer can be.

LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

• DER-VET User Group (2021)
• Energy Storage Integration Council

EPRI CONTACTS: Miles Evans, Engineer/Scientist, mevans@epri.com

PROGRAM: Energy Storage and Distributed Generation (P94)