Review of Control Strategies for Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems in Distribution Networks

Increased adoption of distributed variable renewable energy (VRE) generation has created various challenges in maintaining a stable and reliable grid. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) can provide various services to assist utilities and system operators in managing the grid. This paper reviews literature on control strategies for Lithium-ion (Li-ion) BESS in distribution (Dx) networks, and identifies current research activities, trends, challenges and opportunities. The relevance of control strategies for BESS in the context of South Africa are presented. Furthermore, the paper serves as a starting point for the development of an operation framework that considers all the fundamental services that BESS can provide within various stakeholder and technical contexts.