Assessing the Economic Feasibility of PV-BESS Systems in Connection with Pandemic-induced Loads

COVID-19 has impacted on energy (uses, load pro-files) and mobility (patterns, means of transport). The change can create a fertile environment for local renewable generation, energy storage, and electrical mobility. In this context, the scope of this work is to assess the economic feasibility of a residential system of PV generation, electrochemical storage, and charging point, following pandemic-induced loads. First, the prospected impact is estimated via a simplified model. Then, a dynamic model is used to simulate the system operation subjected to a rule-based control. Different scenarios are considered, to assess the impact of the pandemic. The results show that the pandemic loads increase the savings from the PV-BESS system, +36% in the presence of a home-charged EV and +40% in its absence. Further savings can be theoretically achieved by tailoring the system design to the specific load demand.