A Multi-Objective Optimized Approach to Photovoltaic-Battery Systems Constrained by Transformer Capacity for Existing Buildings

Jiesheng Yu, Yongming Zhang (), Zhe Yan, Lie Chen and Weidong Fu
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Jiesheng Yu: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Yongming Zhang: Sino-German College of Applied Sciences (CDHAW), Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, China
Zhe Yan: College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Lie Chen: Shanghai Research Institute of Building Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200032, China
Weidong Fu: ARTS Group Co., Ltd., Suzhou 215123, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-28

Abstract: As urban populations grow and energy demands escalate, it is increasingly challenging for existing building electrical infrastructure in densely populated areas to meet contemporary energy requirements. Traditional grid expansion methods often impose prohibitive economic costs and environmental impacts. Photovoltaic-battery (PVB) systems emerge as a sustainable alternative to enhance building energy self-sufficiency while addressing transformer capacity constraints. This study develops a multi-objective optimization methodology for PVB system configuration in retrofit applications, introducing the transmission limit ratio ( TLR ) metric to quantify grid interaction capacity. Taking a residential building as a case study, the constraints on configuration variables under insufficient transformer capacity are obtained through simulation. Applying the NSGA-II algorithm, optimal configurations are identified for economic and environmental scenarios. In terms of configuration, a PVB system, 0.743 PV penetration, 205 kWh battery is the best optimal configuration for an economic operation scenario, while 1.356 PV penetration and 201 kWh battery is the best for an environmental operation scenario, when the TLR is 0.8. The analysis demonstrates PV penetration’s critical role in scenario transition, while battery capacity primarily ensures system stability across TLR variations. This methodology provides practical insights for engineers in optimizing sustainable energy systems within existing infrastructure constraints, particularly relevant for high-density urban environments.

Keywords: existing building retrofit; PV-battery system; capacity configuration; transformer capacity constraints; multi-objective optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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