82 CSEE JOURNAL OF POWER AND ENERGY SYSTEMS, VOL. 2, NO.

3, SEPTEMBER 2016

Application and Modeling of Battery Energy

Storage in Power Systems
Xiaokang Xu, Senior Member, IEEE, Martin Bishop, Senior Member, IEEE,
Donna G. Oikarinen, Member, IEEE, and Chen Hao, Member, IEEE

Abstract—This paper presents engineering experiences from
battery energy storage system (BESS) projects that require design
and implementation of specialized power conversion systems
(a fast-response, automatic power converter and controller).
These projects concern areas of generation, transmission, and
distribution of electric energy, as well as end-energy user benefits,
such as grid frequency regulation, renewable energy smoothing
and leveling, energy dispatching and arbitrage, power quality
and reliability improvements for connected customers, islanding
operations, and smart microgrid applications. In general, a
grid level BESS project sends an interconnect request to utility
power grids in the project development stage. Simulation models
of equipment are then sent for a system impact study (e.g.,
power flow and/or stability analysis), based on utility grid code
requirements. The system study then determines the connection’s
technical feasibility and impact of the project on the power grid.
In this paper, a set of new BESS models is presented that are
configured and parameterized for use in system impact studies
as well as transmission planning studies. The models, which
have been recently approved and released by the U.S. Western
justify the investment. According to the U.S. Department of
Energy Global Energy Storage Database [1], as of October
2015, global battery energy storage installations have reached
over 600 MW (Fig. 1). These installations provide various
electric grid services including frequency regulation, voltage
support, renewable energy time-shift (arbitrage), renewable
energy smoothing and leveling, demand reduction, and support
for power reliability, power quality, and islanding operations.
For transmission and distribution systems, the BESS has also
been applied for reliability improvement as an alternative
to more costly line upgrade projects. Table I summarizes
five categories of typical electric grid services that can be
performed by the BESS [2].
0.7
0.6
Rated Power (GW)

Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), represent the steady 0.5

state and dynamic performance of the BESS in several software 0.4
platforms for power system studies based on operating project
performance experience. Model benchmarking results as well as 0.3
a real system case study are also included in the paper to show 0.2
that the parameterized and tuned models respond correctly and
as expected when system operating conditions change following 0.1
contingency events. Finally, this paper provides useful guidelines 0
in the use of new models to represent a BESS for power system
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
analysis.
Year
Index Terms—Battery energy storage, contingency, frequency
Fig. 1. Rated power of global battery energy storage installations over time
regulation, power flow analysis, power quality, power reliability,
from the US Department of Energy database, as of October 2015.
renewable energy, smart microgrid, stability analysis, state of
charge, system impact studies, transmission planning.
TABLE I
E LECTRIC G RID E NERGY S TORAGE S ERVICES

Category Description
Electric energy time-shift (arbitrage)
Bulk energy
I. I NTRODUCTION service
Electric supply capacity
Avoided renewable curtailment

B ATTERY energy storage systems (BESS) are frequently

examined and applied to serve a variety of functions
in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric
Ancillary
services
Frequency regulation
Spinning, non-spinning and supplemental reserves
Voltage support
Black start
energy as well as providing end-energy user benefits that help Other related uses
Transmission
Transmission upgrade deferral
Manuscript received February 20, 2016; revised May 3, 2016; accepted June infrastructure
Transmission congestion relief
30, 2016. Date of publication September 30, 2016; date of current version services
Aug. 22, 2016. Distribution Distribution upgrade deferral
X. Xu (Corresponding author e-mail: xiaokang.xu@sandc.com), M. Bishop, infrastructure Voltage support
and D. G. Oikarinen are with S&C Electric Company, 5251 West Franklin services Outage mitigation
Drive, Franklin, WI 53132, USA. Power quality
Customer energy
C. Hao is with S&C Electric (China) Company Ltd., 181 Tai Shan Road, Power reliability
management
SND, Suzhou 215129, China. Retail electric energy time-shift
services
DOI: 10.17775/CSEEJPES.2016.00039 Demand charge management

2096-0042 
c 2016 CSEE
XU et al.: APPLICATION AND MODELING OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE IN POWER SYSTEMS 83

The subsequent sections in this paper discuss several battery
energy storage engineering projects that have required design
and implementation of specialized power conversion systems
(fast-response, automatic power converters, and controllers).
Since such projects are connected to the power grid, they
are generally required to submit equipment simulation models
for system impact studies in their development stages so
that they can meet the utility’s interconnection grid code
requirements. At the same time, we discuss in this paper new
simulation models that were configured, parameterized, and
tuned to represent BESS and that were based on actual project
engineering experiences. Model benchmarking tests and a case
study of a real power system using the parameterized and
tuned models from our study demonstrate satisfactory results,
and to the best knowledge of the authors, these new models
have not been tuned or used for this type of study in published
literature. Hence, this paper provides useful guidelines for the
use of these new models to represent a BESS for power system
analysis.
II. A PPLICATION OF BATTERY E NERGY S TORAGE
Generally speaking, a utility-grade battery energy storage
project can be deployed on the power grid at a substation,
distributed along a feeder or as a residential community-
focused system (Fig. 2). S&C Electric Company designs
and implements power conversion systems (PCS) for all of
these types of deployments. Three such battery engineering
wind energy facility. A stand-alone PCS, which includes a
local monitoring, data collection, control, and communication
system, was designed, built, and installed for this project.
The main objective of the project was to demonstrate system
benefits and effectiveness of the BESS in performing the
following major functions:
1) Grid frequency regulation;
2) economic dispatch (arbitrage);
3) renewable energy time-shifting;
4) renewable energy output smoothing;
5) renewable energy output leveling.
Performance data recorded from the field indicated that
the BESS performed as expected, meeting all of the goals
of the application project. For illustrative purposes, only two
performance data are cited here. Fig. 3 shows the recorded
frequency regulation performance where the PCS power (blue
line) follows the area control error (ACE) (red line) in an
automatic generation control (AGC) system with the intent
to balance the random and rapid fluctuations in generation
and/or load on an intra-minute basis. Fig. 4 shows the recorded
renewable energy smoothing performance where the blue,
pink, green, and yellow lines represent the output of the BESS,
the output of the wind energy facility, the combined output of
1,200 400
900 300
600 200
PCS Power (kW)

projects [3]–[5] that were delivered with different system

applications are described next. 300 100

ACE (kW)
0 0
138 kV bus
−300 −100

−600 −200
13.8 kV bus NAS battery station
−900 −300
Two 1-MW
NAS units
−1,200 −400
3/4/10 18:00 3/4/10 18:10 3/4/10 18:20 3/4/10 18:30
2 MW Time
battery
storage
Fig. 3. PCS power (blue line) following ACE (red line) in AGC [3].

2,000 100%

250 kW 1,000
battery 80%
State of Charge (SOC)

storage
Distributed energy 0
Power (kW)

management
controller (DEM) −1,000 60%
25 kW Communications
Load battery −2,000
storage 40%
…
CES
units −3,000
20%
Fig. 2. Deploying battery energy storage on the grid. −4,000

−5,000 0%
0:00
0:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
4:00
4:30
5:00
5:30
6:00
6:30
7:00
7:30
8:00
8:30
9:00
9:30
10:00
10:30
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:30
13:00

A. Renewable Energy Application and Grid Frequency Regu-

lation
This battery energy storage project was installed to facilitate
the integration of wind energy onto the power grid. The project
is a 1 MW, 7.2 MWh sodium sulfur (NaS) BESS. This system
is located at a newly constructed substation near an 11.5 MW
Time
Fig. 4. Renewable energy output smoothing by the BESS (blue line = output
of the BESS; pink line = output of wind energy; green line = combined
output of wind energy and BESS measured at the point of interconnection of
the grid; and yellow line = state of charge (SOC) of battery) [3].
84 CSEE JOURNAL OF POWER AND ENERGY SYSTEMS, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2016
the wind energy facility and the BESS (i.e., the net output
at the grid point of interconnection), and the state of charge
(SOC) of battery, respectively. As seen in this figure, the output
of the BESS offsets the fast change in the wind energy output
such that the grid sees a smooth total output of both the wind
energy facility and the BESS.
These figures indicate that the BESS is correctly responding
as expected.
B. Power Reliability and Quality Application
This battery energy storage project was installed to support
power reliability and quality for a remote town. The project is a
4 MW, 24 MWh NaS BESS designed, built and installed using
a fast-response, automatic power converter and controller for
the system.
The remote town is connected to a main substation via a 100
km, 69 kV transmission line built over 60 years ago. Electrical
storms are frequent events in the rugged area between the
main substation (about 1.6 km above sea level) and the town.
Frequent outages and long repair times of this single aging
transmission line in this rough terrain has affected residential
customers and other critical loads such as key computer
systems in the town. The project used a specialized PCS
installed within a building (shown in Fig. 5) to perform the
following major functions:
1) Provision of uninterrupted 4 MW power for up to 6 hours
in the event of a radial line outage or other emergency
situations;
2) mitigation of voltage fluctuations and momentary out-
ages with BESS quick response capabilities;
3) allowing for maintenance on a future new line being built
from the main substation to the town.
Fig. 5. Specialized PCS installed indoor for the BESS.
C. Smart Microgrid Application and Islanding Operation
This battery energy storage project was developed to serve
as a key stability component of a smart microgrid. This project
was the first of its kind in the U.S. and supplies electricity
to a correctional facility. The facility requires 3 MW of
adequate and secure electricity to maintain daily operations
at all times. Fig. 6 shows the diagram of the smart microgrid
with integration of the following major components [5]:
1) 1.2 MW rooftop solar PV system;
2) 1 MW fuel cell power plant;
3) five 2.3 kW wind turbines;
4) two 1.2 MW emergency backup diesel generators;
5) 2 MW 12 MWh battery energy storage system.
Two 1.2 MW
backup diesel Distributed energy
Utility interconnection or generators resources management
“point of common coupling” system (DERMS)
and static disconnect switch
1 MW fuel cell
power plant
2 MW 12 MWh
Five 2.3 kW battery energy
wind turbines storage system
1.2 MW rooftop
solar PV system
Fig. 6. Diagram showing component equipment of a smart microgrid
supplying electricity to a correctional facility, including the BESS [5].
In this project the PCS was designed and implemented for
the BESS with specific control system features to meet the
security needs of the microgrid. The BESS functions under
the umbrella of a microgrid controller to manage energy
within the microgrid while maintaining system voltage and
frequency stability. It stores renewable and fuel cell energy
overproduction, reduces peak load at the facility and hence
monthly demand charges, and allows the facility to respond
real-time pricing information, buy power from the utility dur-
ing the least expensive nonpeak hours and store and discharge
it for use during most expensive summer peak hours. During
grid-connected operations, these features have the potential
to enable the facility to be a net-zero electrical energy site.
The site can also export power during the most expensive
summer peak electrical hours. The project provides significant
energy cost savings (up to $100,000 per year). The BESS
was designed to support islanding operation of the microgrid,
and in that operation mode improves power quality, system
reliability and security, and increases energy efficiency.
When a disturbance to the utility grid occurs, the smart
microgrid was designed to automatically disconnect from the
grid. The site loads are then served using renewable and
battery power for up to eight hours until either local utility
power is restored or conventional on-site emergency generators
are engaged.
III. M ODELING OF BATTERY E NERGY S TORAGE S YSTEMS
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram to show major components
in a typical BESS that uses an IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar
transistor) based DC-to-AC PCS interconnected to a battery.
The 4 quadrant PCS converts utility AC voltage to DC voltage
for energy storage in a battery or vice versa to release battery
energy back to the utility system. The L-C filter is intended
to reduce high frequency harmonics from the pulse width
modulation (PWM) conversion technique used in the BESS.
The modeling details of these components are discussed below.
In general, a grid level BESS project makes an interconnect
request with utility power grids in the project development
XU et al.: APPLICATION AND MODELING OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE IN POWER SYSTEMS
Power Conversion System (PCS)
Inverter DC bus Chopper
Bae
Battery
AC filter
Utility System
Fig. 7. Schematic diagram of a typical BESS.
stage and is required to submit simulation models of equip-
ment for a system impact study (e.g., power flow and/or sta-
bility analysis), which is required by grid code requirements.
Such a study determines the technical feasibility and impact
of the connection of the project on the power grid.
There are a few existing battery models available in some
software tools [6], [8] such as “CBEST” or “BATT.” However,
these models were developed for specific battery storage
projects; additionally, they lack a universality or generic nature
and are often associated with manufacturer’s proprietary infor-
mation or user defined black box models. Further, these exist-
ing models have several limitations, such as lack of flexibility
for plant level controls (frequency/power or voltage/reactive
power), no modeling logic for the state of charge (SOC)
of battery or no interfacing with other plant level controller
models for master/slave control applications.
In view of the above, based on project operating experience,
a set of new generic models, which were recently approved
and released by the U.S. Western Electricity Coordinating
Council (WECC), have been configured, parameterized, and
tuned to represent the steady state and dynamic performance
of the BESS for power system simulations in several software
platforms [6]–[10]. These models can perform the functions
of grid frequency regulation and voltage support at the trans-
mission level. One attractive benefit of the models is they are
generic in nature without involving manufacturer’s proprietary
and confidential control system information. Acceptance, use
or validation of generic models for renewable or energy stor-
age projects or other control devices in power system studies
has become a highly desirable practice for organizations such
as independent system operators (ISOs), regional reliabil-
ity organizations (RTOs) or transmission service providers
(TSPs) [11]. Use of generic models precludes the need for
NDA agreements with developers and equipment suppliers
allowing bulk system data sharing among many stakeholders
in regional organizations.
A. Modeling in Power Flow Analysis
In power flow analysis, a BESS is modeled as a machine
connected to the power grid via its associated transformers,
and which can operate in 4 quadrants in the P-Q diagram,
as shown in Fig. 8. In this model setup, appropriate values
for MW power rating, machine MVA base, power factor, and
reactive capability of the BESS need to be specified. For
example, a 10 MW BESS may assume a machine base of
85
12.5 MVA, a power factor of 0.8 and maximum and minimum
reactive power limits of ±7.5 MVar.
Inductive (kVar)
Possible
combinations of
real and reactive
power
Charging (kW) Discharging (kW)
Capacitive (kVar)
Fig. 8. BESS operating in 4 quadrants in the P-Q diagram.
For BESS operations, a discharging or charging condition
may be represented by setting an equivalent machine’s MW
output to positive generation or negative generation. This can
be used to model the device capability to regulate frequency
as one example, if reacting to an appropriate up/down control
signal. Reactive power output of the BESS may be set in a
similar manner reflecting the capability to vary reactive power
output to control terminal voltage, or voltage at some other
system point.
B. Modeling in Stability Analysis
In stability analysis, a BESS is modeled using three WECC
generic model modules focusing on grid frequency regulation
and voltage support [12], [13], as shown in Fig. 9 to Fig.
12. The battery energy storage control module (REEC C) is
a recently developed and approved model, which needs to
interact with two renewable energy system models (REGC A
and REPC A) to represent the BESS in dynamic simulations
for frequency regulation and voltage control at the transmis-
sion level. More details of these modules are described in the
following paragraphs.
1) Generator/converter Module (REGC A): This module
accepts and processes real and reactive current commands
from the electrical control module, with feedback from termi-
nal voltages for lower voltage active current and high voltage
reactive current management systems, while outputting real
and reactive current injections into the network model.
2) Electrical Control Module (REEC C): This module
acts on active and reactive power references from the plant
controller module, using a terminal voltage feedback signal
for specifying a prescribed reactive control response during
dynamic system events. Feedback from the generator power
output for monitoring the state of charge (SOC) of the BESS
and settings for appropriate active current limits is also used
in this block. This module provides real and reactive current
commands to the generator/converter module by selecting real
or reactive power control priorities.
3) Plant Controller Module (REPC A): This module pro-
cesses frequency and power measurements and computes
86 CSEE JOURNAL OF POWER AND ENERGY SYSTEMS, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2016

REPC_A Vt REEC_C Vt REGC_A

Vreg
Vref Plant level Qext Iqcmd’ Iqcmd Iq
Qref Q control
V/Q control Current
Qbranch Generator Network
Pref limit
model solution
Pbranch Plant level Ipcmd’ logic Ipcmd Ip
Pref P control
Freqref P control
Freg
Pqflag
= 1 (P priority) SOC/Pgen
= 0 (Q priority)

Fig. 9. Overall model structure of a BESS using WECC generic models.

Iqrmax
Iqcmd -1 Iq +
× Iolim
Upward rate limit on Iq active when Qgen0 > 0 1 + sTg -
Downward rate limit on Iq active when Qgen0 < 0 Iqrmin
Vt
Vt ≤ Volim Vt > Volim
+ 0
Khv
LVPL & -
0 Interface
rrpwr High voltage reactive
Volim to
Ipcmd current management
1 Ip network
Low model
1 + sTg
voltage
Low voltage
Lvplsw LVPL power gain active current
logic 1 management
0 Lvpl1
V 1
×
1 + sTfltr
1 0 V
V
Zerox Brkpt lvpnt0 lvpnt1

Fig. 10. WECC generic generator/converter model REGC A [12].

dbd1,dbd2 Iqh1
If (Vt < Vdip) or (Vt > Vup) 1 Vt_filt Verr Iqv
then Vt - Kqv
1 + sTrv
Voltage_dip = 1 + Iql1
else
Voltage_dip = 0 Vref0 (user defined)
Freeze state if Voltage_dip = 1

PFFlag Vmax Iqmax iqinj

1 Qmax VFlag Vmax
Pe
1
× + + Kqp + Kqi 1 QFlag + Iqmax
1 + sTp + Kvp + Kvi 1
- s +
0 s
pfaref tan Qmin 0
Vmin - Iqcmd
Qgen Vmin Iqmin
0
Qext Vt_filt Iqmin
(Qext is initialized to a
1
constant, or can be ÷ 1 + sTiq
connected to an external VDL1
0.01

model.) Current
limit PQflag
VDL2
logic 0 - Q priority
Vt_filt Freeze state if Voltage_dip = 1
1 - P priority

d max
dP Pmax Ipmax
(Pref is initialized to a 1 Pord Ipcmd
Pref 1 + sTpord ÷ +
constant, or can be
+ Ipmin
connected to an external d min
dP Pmin
Paux
model.)
Vt_filt
0.01
SOCmax
If SOC >= SOCmax
1 - SOC
Pgen Ipmin=0
Ts else if SOC <= SOCmin
+
SOCmin Ipmax = 0
SOCini

Fig. 11. WECC generic electrical control model REEC C [13].

XU et al.: APPLICATION AND MODELING OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE IN POWER SYSTEMS 87

VcompFlag Vref
Ibranch |Vreg – (Rc+jXc)· Ibranch|
1 1 - +
Vreg 1 + sTfltr
0 Qmax
+ dbd emax
+ 1
Qbranch Kc RefFlag Kp + Ki 1 + s Tft
1 + s Tfv Qext
0 s
emin
- Qmin Freeze state
1 if Vreg < Vfrz
1 + sTfltr +
Qref

Plantpref
Pmax Freqflag
+ femax 0
Pbranch 1 - Kpg + Kig 1 Pref
1 + sTp 1 + sTlag 1
0 + s
fdbd1, fdbd2 Ddn femin
- + Pmin
Freq
+ +
Freqref Dup
0

Fig. 12. WECC generic plant controller model REPC A [12].

Pad-mounted
active power output of the BESS to emulate frequency/active Interconnection Station Collector transformer
transmission line transformer system equivalent
power control. It also processes voltage and reactive power equivalent
Renewable
measurements and calculates reactive power output of the generator
BESS to emulate volt/var control at the plant level. This equivalent
Point of connection
module provides active and reactive power references to the Power factor
to the bulk power correction
Plant level reactive
electrical control module. system compensation capacitors
(if applicable) (if applicable)
Although a BESS allows for independent control of active
and reactive power, in most power system studies, priority is Fig. 13. WECC benchmark test system.
typically given to active power and frequency control since
this is generally the primary purpose of the BESS in most
0.25
Battery Discharging Power (MW)

system applications. PSLF Powerworld PSS®E

0.20

IV. M ODEL B ENCHMARKING T ESTS AND A P OWER 0.15

S YSTEM C ASE S TUDY
0.10

A. Model Benchmarking Tests 0.05

S&C Electric Company has been working with WECC and 0.00
several commercial software vendors to verify and benchmark 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time (s)
implementation of the new battery energy storage model
(REEC C) in widely used transmission planning and operation Fig. 14. Battery discharging MW power after a positive 2% step change in
software tools. The purpose of these tests is to make sure the the plant setpoint.
new battery energy model performs properly and uniformly
across software platforms. Fig. 13 shows the WECC bench-
mark test system for renewable energy system models that was 0.00
Battery Charging Power (MW)

used for this purpose. The equivalent generator in the figure PSLF POWERWORLD PSS®E
was configured to represent a BESS using the parameterized −0.05
models described in Section III. The BESS was set to control
−0.10
frequency and voltage at the point of interconnection (POI).
Various simulations were run for verifying the functionality −0.15
of these models. For illustrative purposes, only a set of
−0.20
step responses are discussed here. Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 show
battery discharging or charging power responses in MW after −0.25
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
a positive or negative 2% step change applied at the plant Time (s)
MW setpoint at 1 sec. These plots show the expected and
almost identical responses from three software tools (PSSR
E, Fig. 15. Battery charging MW power after a negative 2% step change in the
TM plant setpoint.
PSLF and PowerWorld Simulator [6]–[9]).
88 CSEE JOURNAL OF POWER AND ENERGY SYSTEMS, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2016
B. Real Power System Study
There are various applications with a BESS in power sys-
tems as summarized in Table I. For example, at transmission
level, a BESS may be used for frequency regulation, spinning
reserves or voltage control. In practice, frequency regula-
tion/regulating reserve (bi-directional) is generally the primary
objective of a BESS. The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission issued Order 755 in October 2011, “Frequency
Regulation Compensation in Organized Wholesale Power Mar-
kets” [14] for regulating resources including energy storage.
ISOs/RTOs in North America have implemented or are im-
plementing the FERC order. Currently, there are increasing
numbers of battery energy storage projects interconnected or
being interconnected with the power grid to provide frequency
regulation services. For example, PJM has a number of battery
energy storage projects in operation and are participating in
grid frequency regulation services in real-time markets.
In the system planning stage, system studies are often re-
quired to be performed to quantify frequency regulation effects
or responses from battery storage projects in steady state
and dynamic conditions. Hence, modeling of these projects
in power system studies is important to produce useful and
meaningful results.
Modeling guidelines described in the previous section have
been executed in several power system case studies. For
illustrative purposes, only one such study is discussed in this
section, which is focused on grid frequency regulation and
active power control with the parameterized and tuned models
performed using PSS R
E [6]. In this study, priority is real
power control as it is the primary purpose of the BESS.
An one-line diagram of an isolated power system as mod-
elled in the PSS R
E program is shown in Fig. 16. The
power system includes 132 kV and 66 kV as the principle
network, with a total load approaching 100 MW. This is
an isolated system with generation that is mainly hydro and
diesel as prime movers. Contingencies frequently cause loss
of generation or separation of the system and hence frequency
stability issues and service outages for customers are common
on the system. For simulation purposes, four BESS systems
were applied on the system, three rated ±4 MW/5 MVA each
Fig. 16. Isolated power system with multiple BESSs.
and one rated ±8 MW/10 MVA. The application goal was
to mitigate the frequency issues and compensate for the lost
energy caused by loss of generation or separation following
fault events. The BESS system parameters in the models
used in the studies represent the S&C PureWave R
Storage
Management System (SMS) [10] as the system interface to
batteries. These BESS systems are located close to loads and
can supply or absorb up to 4 MW or 8 MW power when
imbalance in generation and load in the system occurs, thus
mitigating frequency excursions caused by such an imbalance.
Several contingencies involving loss of generation or sep-
aration of the system were simulated. These contingencies
cause under-frequency and/or over-frequency conditions in the
system. When loss of generation occurs, the BESS responds to
the frequency changes by charging or discharging the battery,
along with other remaining online generators. For illustrative
purposes, two such contingency cases are described in this
section.
The first contingency case is a 5-cycle, 3-phase fault at
the high side of a generator step-up transformer resulting in
the tripping of two generators (about 10% of total generation
forced off-line). Fig. 17 shows the system frequency response
with the BESS (green line) and without the BESS (red line).
During the fault, the system frequency increases and the BESS
responds by absorbing real power (charging). After the fault
event is cleared, the system frequency starts dropping and the
BESS discharges to produce power. Without the BESS, the
system frequency drops as much as 1.5% (red line). With
the BESS, it drops by about 0.65% (green line). As shown
in the figure, in the steady state the final system frequency
settles at a higher value with the BESS (green line) than
without the BESS (red line). The final steady state frequency
value and the allocation of the lost generation are determined
by the frequency control droop function of the BESS and
the governor droop characteristics of the remaining online
generators.
0.01
Frequency Deviation (p.u.)
0.005
0
Green = with BESS
−0.005
−0.01 Red = without BESS
−0.015
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Time (s)
Fig. 17. BESS regulating under-frequency condition.
Fig. 18 shows the MW output of one BESS in response
to the under-frequency condition following the contingency.
The BESS makes up for the lost generation (by discharging
battery energy) to supply the loads and reduces the frequency
deviation in both steady state and dynamic conditions, as
compared to the case without the BESS.
The second contingency case was a 5-cycle, 3-phase fault
at a 138 kV bus with the tripping of a line splitting the system
XU et al.: APPLICATION AND MODELING OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE IN POWER SYSTEMS 89

5
priority is given to voltage and reactive power control, the
4
BESS may be comparable to other reactive support devices
3
BESS Output (MW)

such as STATCOMs [15], [16].

2
1
1
0 Red = BESS discharging (MW)
−1 0

BESS Output (MW)

−2
−1
−3
Red = BESS charging (MW)
−4 −2
−5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 −3
Time (s)
−4
Fig. 18. BESS in charging/discharging (absorbing/producing MW).
−5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Time (s)
into two parts: One part has a generation shortage causing the
system frequency to drop and the other part has a generation Fig. 20. BESS in charging (absorbing MW).
surplus causing the system frequency to rise.
Fig. 19 shows the system frequency response with the BESS 1.1
(green line) and without the BESS (red line) in the part of the Red = without BESS
system with the generation surplus. During the fault, without
1
the BESS, the system frequency rises as much as 3.7% (green

Bus Voltage (p.u.)

Green = with BESS
line); with the BESS, the system frequency rises by about
2%. As shown in the figure, in the steady state condition, 0.9
the final system frequency settles at a lower value with the
BESS (green line) than without the BESS (red line). The 0.8
BESS reduces the frequency deviation in both steady state
and dynamic conditions, as compared to the case without the 0.7
BESS. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Time (s)
0.05
Fig. 21. BESS regulating voltage.
Frequency Deviation (p.u.)

0.04

0.03 V. C ONCLUSION

0.02 Red = without BESS

0.01
Green = with BESS
0 as grid frequency regulation, renewable energy smoothing
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Time (s)
Fig. 19. BESS regulating over-frequency condition.
Fig. 20 shows the MW output of one BESS in response to
the over-frequency condition following the contingency. The
BESS absorbs the surplus generation (through charging of the
battery up to its power rating) and reduces the frequency
deviation in both steady state and dynamic conditions, as
compared to the case without the BESS.
While the BESS mainly regulates power and frequency,
it may also provide voltage and reactive support within its
MVA rating. Fig. 21 shows a simulation plot of the voltage
response with the BESS (green line) and without the BESS
(red line) following one contingency described previously. As
shown in the dynamic voltage plot, the BESS provides voltage
support to keep the voltage closer to nominal as compared
to the case without the BESS. In this case, the priority is
real power control as a setting for these simulations. When
This paper presented power system applications of some
battery energy storage engineering projects for which S&C
Electric Company designed and implemented power conver-
sion and control systems. These projects served such functions
and leveling, energy dispatching and arbitrage, power quality
and reliability, and islanding operations, and smart microgrid
applications in power systems, etc. A grid level BESS project
usually makes an interconnect request with utility power grids
in the project development stage and is required to submit
simulation models of equipment for a system impact study
(e.g., power flow and/or stability analysis), which is required
by utility grid code requirements. This study determines the
technical feasibility and impact of connection of the project on
the power grid. This paper also presents a set of new battery
storage models that S&C has configured, parameterized and
tuned for use in system impact studies as well as transmis-
sion planning studies. These parameterized and tuned models
properly represent the steady state and dynamic performance
of the BESS in several software platforms for power system
simulations based on operating project engineering experience,
as demonstrated in benchmarking tests and case studies. This
paper provides useful guidelines for the use of new models to
represent a BESS for power system analysis.
90 CSEE JOURNAL OF POWER AND ENERGY SYSTEMS, VOL. 2, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2016
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the discussions from
Dr. Jay Senthil of Siemens Power Technologies International
(PTI), Dr. James Weber of PowerWorld Corporation, Dr. Juan
Sanchez-Gasca of General Electric International, Inc., Dr. Xi
Lin and Dr. Pouya Zadehkhost of Powertech Labs Inc. with
regards to implementation and testing of the new battery
energy storage models in the software platforms. Discussions
on these models from the WECC Modeling Validation Work
Group and Renewable Energy Modeling Task Force are also
appreciated.
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Xiaokang Xu (M’92–SM’00) received the B.S.
and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from
the Southeast University, Nanjing, China in 1982
and the Graduate School of China Electric Power
Research Institute (CEPRI), Beijing, China, in 1984,
respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engi-
neering from Western University, London, Canada,
in 1999.
Currently, he is Principal Engineer of the Global
Strategic Studies Group at S&C Electric Company in
Franklin, WI, USA. His primary work areas include
modeling, simulation and application of FACTS devices and energy storage
systems, transmission voltage stability analysis, transmission planning and
reliability assessment, and renewable energy integration.
Previously, he was with CEPRI in Beijing, China, Ontario Hydro in Toronto,
Canada, CAE Electronics Ltd. in Montreal, Canada, and Power Technologies
Inc. (PTI and now Siemens PTI) in Schenectady, NY, USA.
Martin Bishop (M’78–SM’85) received the B.S.
and M.E. degrees in electric power engineering from
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA,
and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Man-
agement, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Currently, he is Manager of the Global Strategic
Studies Group at S&C Electric Company, Franklin,
WI USA. His primary responsibilities include busi-
ness development for reactive compensation systems
and large energy-storage applications using S&C
inverter-based products. Prior to S&C, he was with
the Systems Engineering Department at Cooper Power Systems, Franksville,
performed industrial studies, power-quality measurements, and designed filter
systems for large industrial plants. He also participated in the design and
development of new relay protection systems using Rogowski coil current
sensors. He began his career with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation,
Pittsburgh, PA, USA, in the Advanced Systems Technology organization.
Donna G. Oikarinen (M’93) is Senior Electrical
Engineer, Global Strategic Studies group at S&C
Electric Company. She joined S&C in 2011, working
on power system and harmonic studies to analyze
systems for capacity, stability, transfer capability,
power quality, renewable energy interconnections
and applications for reactive compensation systems
and large energy storage applications using S&C
inverter based products. Prior to S&C she worked
for AMSC in Network Planning and Applications
Group, Wisconsin Public Service Corp. in the areas
of transmission planning, substation engineering, and distribution planning
and operations. She has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from
Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI USA and is a member of
Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Omicron Delta Kappa.
Chen Hao received the B.E. degree in electronic
engineering from Harbin Engineering University,
Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, in 2004.
He has been with S&C Electric (China) Company
Ltd. since 2009 as a power quality engineer in charge
of marketing and technical support for power quality
products including UPS, STATCOM and energy
storage products. Prior to S&C, he worked for AC
Power Corp for 4 years to provide technical support
for UPS, variable frequency power supply and other
inverter-based devices.