The new planning methodology elaborated by FlexPlan will provide T&D grid operators not only with a new more efficient methodological framework but also with a complete set of planning tools already tested on real-size cases and an evaluation the technical-economic advantages the new planning methodology could achieve based on the analysis of six real-size cases covering most of the EU region.
The FlexPlan planning toolbox (expansion planning tool + pre-processor), yet not public, is available upon request in an evaluation version (D3.3). Additionally, the developers remain available to discuss with SOs and other stakeholders possible customization requests in case the new tool meets their interest.
Typical external utilizers should be System Operators (SOs) and other European stakeholders. A specific task was devoted to study an ergonomic graphic user interface, in order to foresee a working approach similar to that used by SOs.
On top of the FlexPlan toolbox, and additionally with respect to what foreseen by the Grant Agreement, a set of two open access libraries were also published on GitHub and can be freely downloaded by everybody. These libraries replicate all the main functionalities of the grid expansion tool (but not those of the pre-processor and not the graphic user interface) and constitute the ideal software for performing planning studies using the FlexPlan methodology. The typical users for these libraries should be R&D Centres and Universities.
On their side, National Regulatory Authorities could take profit of the Regulatory Guidelines which were elaborated in the final stage of the project in order to draw a complete analysis of barriers and enablers of the new planning methodology as well as a suggestion of the most efficient regulatory framework to implement it in the most efficient way.
Storage resources owners and flexible loads could elaborate new business cases taking profit of the opportunities opened by the new planning methodology.
Additionally, an enhanced availability of flexibility resources in strategic network nodes can contribute to increase the maximum level of penetration of RES, thus contributing to system decarbonization.
All customers could profit of lower infrastructure investment costs, resulting in a reduction of their electricity bill.
Deliverable D7.6 was dedicated to an in-depth impact assessment analysis of the FlexPlan methodology. Three regulatory context were analyzed, including:
● the status quo regulation,
● status quo plus long-term mechanisms,
● long-term mechanisms plus a real-time-markets reform creating new products for flexibile resources.
For each of the three regulatory frameworks, a complete impact analysis is carried out by highlighting the following aspects:
● reference regulatory context,
● advantages and drawbacks of the FlexPlan methodology,
● barriers in applying the FlexPlan methodology,
● enabling factors to overcome the barriers,
● final recommendations.
