Contribución del Almacenamiento en Baterías en el Sistema Eléctrico Ecuatoriano para Optimizar su Despacho Económico

The increase in renewable generation and the need for a more flexible operation of the National Interconnected System (SNI) pose new challenges for efficient energy management in Ecuador. In this context, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) emerge as a viable solution to optimize power system operation by enabling temporal energy shifting, reducing operational costs, and mitigating unsupplied energy events. This study analyzes the contribution of a BESS to the operational performance of the SNI using a representative four-zone model. An optimization model based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) is developed to determine the optimal location of the storage system. The results indicate that the optimal location is found in the zones with the highest solar generation capacity and demand levels, where the BESS significantly contributes to reducing thermal generation and overall system operating costs, reinforcing its role as a strategic resource to enhance the operational flexibility of the Ecuadorian power system.