Co‐Optimisation of Battery Energy Storage Systems for Voltage Regulation and Reverse Power Flow Control in PV‐Enriched Low Voltage Distribution Network

ABSTRACT

High photovoltaic (PV) penetration in low‐voltage (LV) radial feeders often causes midday voltage rise and upstream reverse power flow (RPF), constraining further PV integration without local flexibility. In this paper, distributed battery energy storage systems (BESS) are investigated as a practical flexibility resource to absorb surplus PV energy, support voltage regulation and improve feeder operating conditions. A coordinated planning‐and‐operation framework is developed to determine optimal BESS placement, sizing and cooperative operation using limited information exchange. The proposed approach is assessed on a standard LV residential benchmark feeder under representative stressed operating conditions. Results show that an optimised four‐unit BESS deployment, installed at buses 13, 14, 15 and 17 with ratings of 102.6 kW/104.1 kWh, 52.5 kW/54.8 kWh, 58 kW/63.2 kWh and 159.9 kW/160 kWh, successfully maintains node voltages within the acceptable 0.95–1.05 pu range while reducing midday net export tendencies. In addition, the proposed coordination concept promotes balanced utilisation of the distributed storage fleet by regulating state‐of‐charge trajectories during voltage‐support operation. These findings indicate that strategically placed and cooperatively operated distributed BESS can provide an effective pathway for alleviating PV‐driven voltage violations in LV feeders without relying solely on curtailment or network reinforcement.