Analysis of self-generated PV energy consumption profiles in prosumers microgrid

Abstract

ABSTRACTSelf-harvesting and consumption of electrical energy from a small-scale photovoltaic (PV) system became quite a beneficial option for households who seek for an economical, independent and environment-friendly power alternative. However, in practice, prosumers without battery storage systems face some energy flow management issues, when only part of the generated energy is consumed instantly in place, while the rest is exported to the distribution grid or simply lost. The paper examines profiles of some preselected prosumers with small-scale PV installations with the purpose to evaluate losses caused by the inability to consume instantly all generated energy and thus resulting in redundant energy exchange between prosumer’s microgrid and distribution grid. The analysis reveals certain anomalies, when local PV system produces enough power to cover all the electricity demand of the household, but energy is still imported from the DSO grid at the same time. These simultaneous flows of import and export active energy were calculated and showed quite significant numbers. The paper digs into this problem through a quantitative evaluation of energy flows within one preselected microgrid using one-second resolution experimental data. The results presented here help us distinguish the main factors leading to inefficient distribution of generated power in households.

Keywords

• PV system
• self-consumption
• household prosumer
• import and export energy