Maximum Demand Peak Shave Approach Utilising a Hybrid Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System

The electrical energy is accumulated from various sources by a battery energy storage system (BESS), which then stores it in rechargeable batteries for later use. The highest level of electrical demand tracked over a given time, often for a month, is known as maximum demand (MD). Customers will be charged a penalty fee on their electricity statements as soon as the MD value exceeds the contractual power. Utility providers typically impose an MD penalty since they must accommodate this peak demand anytime customer requests it. There are numerous ways to lessen the MD penalty, including adopting peak shaving, load shedding, or demand side management to shift operations and consumptions from peak to off-peak times. In this study, a hybrid solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) will be used to attain the peak shaving strategy. The main purpose of the PV system is to recharge the battery in the system. A battery management system (BMS) is being developed to regulate the charging and discharging operation. Whenever the load demand approaches the MD, the MD controller will administer the peak shaving process by pumping energy from BESS to the load. As a case study, the load profile of the BKBA building, UiTM Cawangan Pulau Pinang (UiTMCPP) was recorded and analyzed. Then, Matlab Simulink is used to model the proposed system. It has been observed that the developed system successfully monitors the MD and manages the peak-shave operation, thus minimizing the electricity costs by avoiding the MD penalty. The case study demonstrates that the cost of electricity bills could be reduced by 8.4% per day.