Can residential self-consumption contribute to load reduction in low-voltage grids?

In the German residential sector, a dynamic increase of photovoltaic self-consumption can be noted at present. The feed-in of the excess electricity of this additional generation systems could lead to voltage overloads, particularly in rural low-voltage distribution grids. Recent studies suggest that battery systems could be used to promote amore grid-friendly self-consumption. In this study a self-consumption optimization model is coupled with a distribution grid model, to analyse the benefits that could come from the battery operation in low-voltage grids. As a result it was found that batteries, if they are only used with the purpose to increase self-consumption, have very little effect on grid loads. But if grid restrictions are considered in addition to the self-consumption increase, loads can be reduced significantly. Although the load reduction is generally positive for the grid, occurring voltage violations could not be completely avoided in the generic grid of this study.