Optimal sizing and robust feasibility analysis of cloud battery energy storage for a residential community
Rahmat Khezri, Salah Bahramara, Amin Mahmoudi, Gianfranco Chicco · Sustainable Energy Grids and Networks · 2026
This paper proposes a novel two-stage framework for optimal sizing and robust feasibility analysis of a cloud battery energy storage (CBES) system for a residential community. In the first stage, the optimal sizing of the CBES is investigated based on the optimal capacity of distributed battery energy storage (DBES) required by individual residential users. Different types of users are assumed based on their installed capacity of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) and the type of electricity tariffs considered. The optimal capacity, affordable price, and net present cost of DBES are determined in the first stage for economic integration in each type of residential user. The second stage evaluates the economic feasibility of the battery capacity and price obtained in the first stage from the CBES point of view. To this aim, a robust optimization strategy is developed to model the CBES operator’s revenue in the worst case of variations of electricity market price and net power trading with the users. In the novel framework, the analysis takes simultaneously into account a wider set of aspects with respect to previous references, considering optimal battery sizing, feasibility of the investments, comparisons with DBES, battery lifetime and the uncertainties on electricity prices, demand and renewable energy sources. The results show that while DBES is not economically viable for residential houses, the exploitation of CBES becomes economically feasible for the users and the CBES operator.