Periodic Reporting for period 3 - FLEXIGRID (ENABLING FLEXIBILITY FOR FUTURE DISTRIBUTION GRID)
Reporting period: 2022-05-01 to 2023-08-31
The European Union has seen paradigm shifts on the decentralization of generation with renewable and variable electricity demand, as well as electrification of thermal and transport sectors. This brings various operational challenges for “managing electricity distribution grids in order to ensure affordability of energy, security and stability of supply”, in particular for the roughly 2,350 small and medium DSOs.
A substantial part of the challenge emanates from the increased need for flexibility to avoid “massive investments in infrastructures”. This relies on active participation of smart citizens as highlighted by the EU’s energy policy package “Clean Energy for all European”. There is a need for integrated solutions to “allow the distribution grid to function in a secure and stable manner with large shares of variable renewables”.
FlexiGrid aims to: i) Develop an integrated architecture for flexibility measures and electricity grid services provided by storage of electricity, vehicle charging, demand response and variable generation; ii) Define, test, deploy and demonstrate markets and market mechanisms that incentivize the flexibility, in particular for mitigating network congestions and local balancing; iii) Drive cooperation between DSOs, consumers and local generators; iv) Deploy smart grid technologies to enable the architecture and markets, bringing actors together to participate as distributed energy sources, driving increased system reliability, greater observability, higher automation and improved control of the grid; v) Enable future technical and commercial innovation by identifying barriers to innovation, developing pathways for DSOs, developing business models, and through strategic collaboration.
A substantial part of the challenge emanates from the increased need for flexibility to avoid “massive investments in infrastructures”. This relies on active participation of smart citizens as highlighted by the EU’s energy policy package “Clean Energy for all European”. There is a need for integrated solutions to “allow the distribution grid to function in a secure and stable manner with large shares of variable renewables”.
FlexiGrid aims to: i) Develop an integrated architecture for flexibility measures and electricity grid services provided by storage of electricity, vehicle charging, demand response and variable generation; ii) Define, test, deploy and demonstrate markets and market mechanisms that incentivize the flexibility, in particular for mitigating network congestions and local balancing; iii) Drive cooperation between DSOs, consumers and local generators; iv) Deploy smart grid technologies to enable the architecture and markets, bringing actors together to participate as distributed energy sources, driving increased system reliability, greater observability, higher automation and improved control of the grid; v) Enable future technical and commercial innovation by identifying barriers to innovation, developing pathways for DSOs, developing business models, and through strategic collaboration.
Development of new technologies, algorithms and methods: TU/e developed an algorithm regarding the process design for flexibility procurement and dispatch and an algorithm that solves the problem of unobservable networks at distribution level. TU/e and CTH developed a tool to quantify the availability and certainty of various flexibility resources as well as for the optimal allocation and dispatch of flexibility services. TU/e also developed an algorithm for grid reconfiguration and fault-initiated islanding, providing a flexible option for DSOs. CTH developed an advanced battery management algorithm and congestion forecast tool for distribution networks.
Platforms development and integration: SIMAVI developed an IoT platform that integrated the data received from all demonstration sites enabling the communication between the various data sources and assets and operates as a unique repository of data in FlexiGrid. The IoT platform integrates functions for monitoring and control of local flexibility resources and also for flexibility market trading and visualization of market outcomes. EMAX developed a Eflex peer-to-peer flexibility trading platform based on blockchain. OEDAS developed an advanced EV management platform to manage flexibility from EVs and stationary batteries for congestion management. IoT, Eflex, and EV management platforms have been interfaced for connections with market players as well as for visualization of peer-to-peer market results at the Bulgarian, Turkey, and Swiss demo-sites.
Market designs: CTH designed and developed a centralised local flexibility market (LFM) for congestion management, while EMAX developed Eflex platform.
Demonstration activities: FlexiGrid demonstrations were facilitated by the integration of FlexiGrid IoT platform in the Swedish, Turkish, Swiss and Bulgarian demo-sites.
CTH and AH prepared the Swedish demo-site. Developed solutions were integrated into a local IoT platform as well as to FlexiGrid IoT platform. CTH and AH demonstrated the technical and market solutions for flexibility provisions from distributed resources. EE has prepared the Bulgarian demo-site and along with EMAX and TU/s performed the demonstrations on flexibility provision through Eflex in Bulgaria. OEDAS prepared the Turkish demo-site and with SIMAVI’s assistance integrated FlexiGrid IoT platform on site. Impacts of coordinated charging/discharging operations with the DSO and end-users in preventing grid congestion were emphasized, while Eflex platform was also demonstrated. HES-SO prepared the Swiss demo-site and with SIMAVI’s assistance integrated FlexiGrid IoT platform on site. The feasibility of flexibility delivery for local balancing purposes, carried out in coordination with the DSO OIKEN, was successfully demonstrated, while Eflex platform was also demonstrated.
Scenarios, policy and regulation analysis and development: RISE provided an overview of main barriers to the implementation of innovative market solutions and developed different scenarios for the implementation of local markets, while more than 40 relevant national and EU-level policies and regulations have been reviewed. IMCG identified DSOs innovation barriers and innovation capacity, emphasising on innovation capacity and recent developments affecting the future market context.
Plan for exploitation of results: IMCG designed business models for FlexiGrid DSOs by using a combination of pre-determined business models and workshops, aligning with ongoing initiatives. IMCG also produced and implemented an IPR policy mapping the IPR-situation for the solutions, while providing an overview of funding and financial instruments opportunities.
KERs and exploitation plans: IMCG secured that more than 2/3 of positively validated solutions, resulted in credible business plans for commercialisation with resources and value-chain for the next TRLs beyond the project. This work resulted in the definition of key exploitable results (KERs): i) The Service (IoT platform for distribution grids); ii) Congestion Forecast Tool (CFT); iii) Local Flexibility Market (LFM); iv) Eflex; v) Financial Roadmap Services; vi) EV Management Platform; vii) Control of DERs for flexibility provision; viii) Step-to-Step guide for implementation of flexibility services by the DSOs.
Acceptance and increased awareness of project results: IMCG enabled collaborations through networks and organisations for capacity building by partnering with EC-funded bodies and umbrella organisations. A website and social media channels was establish for the communication of project results. FlexiGrid reached out to increase awareness and engagement through newsletters, social media, webinars, and delegation visits. FlexiGrid produced 38 scientific publications, while hosting a special panel session at the IEEE PES ISGT Europe 2022 conference.
Platforms development and integration: SIMAVI developed an IoT platform that integrated the data received from all demonstration sites enabling the communication between the various data sources and assets and operates as a unique repository of data in FlexiGrid. The IoT platform integrates functions for monitoring and control of local flexibility resources and also for flexibility market trading and visualization of market outcomes. EMAX developed a Eflex peer-to-peer flexibility trading platform based on blockchain. OEDAS developed an advanced EV management platform to manage flexibility from EVs and stationary batteries for congestion management. IoT, Eflex, and EV management platforms have been interfaced for connections with market players as well as for visualization of peer-to-peer market results at the Bulgarian, Turkey, and Swiss demo-sites.
Market designs: CTH designed and developed a centralised local flexibility market (LFM) for congestion management, while EMAX developed Eflex platform.
Demonstration activities: FlexiGrid demonstrations were facilitated by the integration of FlexiGrid IoT platform in the Swedish, Turkish, Swiss and Bulgarian demo-sites.
CTH and AH prepared the Swedish demo-site. Developed solutions were integrated into a local IoT platform as well as to FlexiGrid IoT platform. CTH and AH demonstrated the technical and market solutions for flexibility provisions from distributed resources. EE has prepared the Bulgarian demo-site and along with EMAX and TU/s performed the demonstrations on flexibility provision through Eflex in Bulgaria. OEDAS prepared the Turkish demo-site and with SIMAVI’s assistance integrated FlexiGrid IoT platform on site. Impacts of coordinated charging/discharging operations with the DSO and end-users in preventing grid congestion were emphasized, while Eflex platform was also demonstrated. HES-SO prepared the Swiss demo-site and with SIMAVI’s assistance integrated FlexiGrid IoT platform on site. The feasibility of flexibility delivery for local balancing purposes, carried out in coordination with the DSO OIKEN, was successfully demonstrated, while Eflex platform was also demonstrated.
Scenarios, policy and regulation analysis and development: RISE provided an overview of main barriers to the implementation of innovative market solutions and developed different scenarios for the implementation of local markets, while more than 40 relevant national and EU-level policies and regulations have been reviewed. IMCG identified DSOs innovation barriers and innovation capacity, emphasising on innovation capacity and recent developments affecting the future market context.
Plan for exploitation of results: IMCG designed business models for FlexiGrid DSOs by using a combination of pre-determined business models and workshops, aligning with ongoing initiatives. IMCG also produced and implemented an IPR policy mapping the IPR-situation for the solutions, while providing an overview of funding and financial instruments opportunities.
KERs and exploitation plans: IMCG secured that more than 2/3 of positively validated solutions, resulted in credible business plans for commercialisation with resources and value-chain for the next TRLs beyond the project. This work resulted in the definition of key exploitable results (KERs): i) The Service (IoT platform for distribution grids); ii) Congestion Forecast Tool (CFT); iii) Local Flexibility Market (LFM); iv) Eflex; v) Financial Roadmap Services; vi) EV Management Platform; vii) Control of DERs for flexibility provision; viii) Step-to-Step guide for implementation of flexibility services by the DSOs.
Acceptance and increased awareness of project results: IMCG enabled collaborations through networks and organisations for capacity building by partnering with EC-funded bodies and umbrella organisations. A website and social media channels was establish for the communication of project results. FlexiGrid reached out to increase awareness and engagement through newsletters, social media, webinars, and delegation visits. FlexiGrid produced 38 scientific publications, while hosting a special panel session at the IEEE PES ISGT Europe 2022 conference.
FlexiGrid demonstrated technologies and innovative markets design enabled by various platforms for flexibility provisions to DSOs to ensure secure, stable and affordable distribution grid operation with high level of renewables. FlexiGrid’s produced pathways of how project results will benefit project partners, policy and academia, contributing to a fossil-free society in the future. FlexiGrid’s KERs will make a strong impact on the technologies and society. The Service, EV management platform and Control of DERs for flexibility provision can be used by DSOs to enhance network monitoring and control. CFT, LFM and Eflex platform provide approaches for congestion management, differing grid reinforcement. The Financial Roadmap Services and the Step-to-Step guide ensure the replicability of project solutions, while securing new funding opportunities.