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The augmented electricity demand requires electrical infrastructure upgrades with system operators instituting strategies to increase Distribution Network (DN) capacity in tandem with load growth. In this study, a simple method of deploying Li-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) to defer DN upgrades is presented by utilizing historical load profiles. The k-means algorithm is employed to cluster the annual load profiles obtained from a substation in groups of 15-minute intervals. The load data are min-max scaled and fed as input to the K-means algorithm. The NPV financial analysis method is followed in the DN upgrade deferral benefit determination with the acquired benefit depending on Li-ion BESS price and feeder upgrade cost. The results indicate economic viability of up to four years with a Net Present Value (NPV) of US10k for Li-ion 2000kW/3000kWh BESS. More benefits and deferral years are achieved by varying Li-ion BESS and feeder upgrade costs to 80% and 120%, respectively with deferral years increased to six with an NPV of US110k for Li-ion BESS of 3100kW/6000kWh.
Ondigo et al. (Sat,) studied this question.