Automation, storage and photovoltaic generation to smooth the load diagram

An electrical network is required to provide continually adequate power for the electricity consumption needs; that is an onerous task because of the load diagram variableness. A measure to reduce the diagram peaks, is that of imposing different tariffs during the day; the users would therefore be induced to concentrate their power consumption in the off-peak load hours, to realize accumulation systems or to look for self-production ways to satisfy their needs during the peak demand hours. Some automatic management methods could also be useful to smooth the load diagram. This paper deals with the study of an electricity plant design for a commercial user; the plant is fed by both the distribution network and a photovoltaic generator, and is equipped with an electrochemical storage system (Pb-acid batteries) and an automatic control system.