Work

Impact of electrical energy storage on the performance of photovoltaic systems in building retrofits

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of integrating electrical energy storage (EES) into photovoltaic (PV) systems serving existing buildings that have already undergone energy retrofitting. Focusing on representative locations in Southern Europe, the analysis considers both residential and tertiary buildings with typical configurations. The buildings are assumed to have maximum rooftop PV coverage and are equipped with heat pumps using low-GWP R290 refrigerant, in line with recent regulations. Dynamic simulations were carried out to assess the benefits of varying storage capacities, with particular attention to both energy performance and economic feasibility. To achieve the target of zero-emission buildings (ZEBs), the renewable share of the energy supplied from the grid was also taken into account. Furthermore, a new index was introduced to evaluate the capacity of EES to mitigate grid disturbances caused by PV systems. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method was applied to determine the optimal storage sizes. The results show that, for residential buildings, storage sizing based on a 10-year Net Present Value (NPV) analysis consistently yields positive returns, with maximum energy performance reached at storage capacities below the economic break-even point. Conversely, for the tertiary sector, the investment is not economically viable under current conditions, mainly due to daytime-concentrated electricity use, which reduces storage benefits, and lower electricity purchase costs, which limit the advantage of self-consumption. Nonetheless, storage still improves key energy performance indicators. Overall, the study confirms that appropriately sized EES can significantly enhance self-consumption, reduce grid disturbances, and support buildings in approaching net-zero emission targets.

Source: Energy and Buildings

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116755

Authors: Luigi Schibuola, Chiara Tambani

Institution: Università Iuav di Venezia

Language: English

Topic: Smart Grid Energy Management

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,260