Periodic Reporting for period 3 - PlatOne (PLATform for Operation of distribution NEtworks)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-03-01 bis 2023-08-31
Platone addresses energy transition challenges for DSOs by offering innovative tools for grid observability and flexibility. This approach involves a layered platform structure that caters to system operators, aggregators, and end users, all while adhering to existing regulatory frameworks. At its core, Platone employs the open-source DSO Technical Platform along with the blockchain access layer to harness securely the flexibility of both energy generators and customers. This breaks down traditional access barriers and provides certified measurements to all stakeholders. Certified data and signals are utilized to maintain system integrity and instill confidence in flexibility operations at the local level. Platone's upper layer introduces an innovative blockchain-based open market platform, connecting local systems with Transmission System Operator (TSO) domains to enhance overall system cost efficiency. Platone places grid users at the forefront, engaging with their needs and expectations. Leveraging blockchain technology, it enhances the potential for more dynamic customer responses. To validate and refine its concepts, the Platone Open Framework (POF) was tested in three pilots in Italy, Greece, and Germany. These field tests and the reference implementation in the laboratory approved the effectiveness of Platone architecture for the three pilots focusing on the flexibility activation through market mechanisms, increased grid observability, and the optimal flexibility control in Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). In this regard, the modularity of the POF allowed for establishing interfaces with legacy systems.
Platone work and results can be summarized as below:
• Developing and releasing POF with three open-source components for grid flexibility/congestion management using P2P market models across DSOs, TSOs, Customers, and Aggregator:
o DSO Technical Platform for deploying distribution grid services, compatible with existing DSO platforms;
o Flexibility Market Platform for a fair market, involving all stakeholders, including customerss;
o Blockchain Access Layer (1) for secure energy data sharing, ensuring data ownership and governance.
• Demo developments centered around adapted POF:
o Flexibility activation through Platone market mechanism in the Italian demo:
Light Node installed at users' premises, collecting data from DSO smart meters on DERs' sites, and relaying activation commands to customers' systems;
Local Flexibility Market for DSOs to engage DERs, reducing grid congestions by matching demands with aggregated bids;
Blockchain Access Layer (2) enhancing trust in the Local Flexibility Market by certifying real-time meter measurements.
o Enhancing grid observability/controllability in the Greek demo with Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs):
Network Tariffs Model analyzing historical data to optimize DER control and facilitate real-time ancillary services;
State Estimation tool estimating the grid's operating state using synchronized and conventional measurements.
o Increasing self-sufficiency of an REC in the German demo:
Local Flexibility Controller which manages the balancing between local generation and consumption of the REC.
• Development/installation of Grid Automation Hardware and Software tools:
o Open-source Distributed Optimal Power Flow (D-OPF) solving OPF problems for various systems;
o Deep-learning Probabilistic Load Forecasting to predict consumption, PV, and wind time series;
o Low-Cost PMU for enhanced grid observability with high time-resolution;
o Advanced HW for Grid Connection enabling DC assets to connect to the power system.
• Facilitating Data reusability and Solution Replicability:
o Software for Use case (UC) Description Generation web tool and repository;
o Open Datasets representing demo specification and research data for validating Platone publications;
o IEC Common Information Models (CIMs) representing demo field trial grid models;
o SRA Implementation using the open-source D-OPF and scenario generator tools and the CIMs.
• Education Content Production and Community Interactions:
o Platone Educational Video Series about the open-source philosophy of Platone and the exemplary service deployment tutorials;
o FlexCommunity for discussing flexibility-related topics and knowledge sharing;
o Interactive FlexAnimation demonstrating the benefits of digitalization and flexibility.
Demo harmonization involved assessing KPIs to reflect technical/economic impacts. Quantitative scalability and replicability were complemented by qualitative analysis within the Canadian context, identifying barriers. Multi-criteria cost-benefit analysis ranked solutions by cost-effectiveness. IT scalability and updates for the intra-platform interoperability mechanisms and communication protocols ensured POF's future-proofness. Legislative/regulatory framework and standardization were analyzed, yielding solutions and recommendations. Customer involvement was prioritized through engagement workshops and collaboration with similar projects
Platone actively collaborated through strategic partnerships, focusing on DSO experts and end users. SOGNO/DSOTP architecture's acceptance by the Linux Foundation Energy (LFE) presents growth opportunities. Platone engaged actively in BRIDGE working groups, leading Data Management with an open-source UC Repository and Regulatory work with the updated Harmonized Electricity Market Role Models.
Platone legacy will continue in national projects such as RomeFlex and MiNDFlex in Italy, as well as Ensure phase 3 in Germany (part of the “Kopernikus-Projekte” initiative). Collaboration between Fraunhofer FIT and the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research is adapting the SOGNO concept for future service advancements in German DSOs.
At the EU level, elements of Platone are integrated into various endeavors. The LFE project SOGNO is expanding, maintaining Platone's results. The UC Repository and associated software are now hosted by the European Commission. Multiple HEU projects, like BeFlexible and FLOW, are already underway, building upon Platone's foundation. Platone's open approach and architecture support interoperability, aligning with the vision of int:net. New HEU projects like TWINEU and Hedge-IoT are also emerging and poised to benefit from Platone's knowledge and developments.
• Developing and releasing POF with three open-source components for grid flexibility/congestion management using P2P market models across DSOs, TSOs, Customers, and Aggregator:
o DSO Technical Platform for deploying distribution grid services, compatible with existing DSO platforms;
o Flexibility Market Platform for a fair market, involving all stakeholders, including customerss;
o Blockchain Access Layer (1) for secure energy data sharing, ensuring data ownership and governance.
• Demo developments centered around adapted POF:
o Flexibility activation through Platone market mechanism in the Italian demo:
Light Node installed at users' premises, collecting data from DSO smart meters on DERs' sites, and relaying activation commands to customers' systems;
Local Flexibility Market for DSOs to engage DERs, reducing grid congestions by matching demands with aggregated bids;
Blockchain Access Layer (2) enhancing trust in the Local Flexibility Market by certifying real-time meter measurements.
o Enhancing grid observability/controllability in the Greek demo with Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs):
Network Tariffs Model analyzing historical data to optimize DER control and facilitate real-time ancillary services;
State Estimation tool estimating the grid's operating state using synchronized and conventional measurements.
o Increasing self-sufficiency of an REC in the German demo:
Local Flexibility Controller which manages the balancing between local generation and consumption of the REC.
• Development/installation of Grid Automation Hardware and Software tools:
o Open-source Distributed Optimal Power Flow (D-OPF) solving OPF problems for various systems;
o Deep-learning Probabilistic Load Forecasting to predict consumption, PV, and wind time series;
o Low-Cost PMU for enhanced grid observability with high time-resolution;
o Advanced HW for Grid Connection enabling DC assets to connect to the power system.
• Facilitating Data reusability and Solution Replicability:
o Software for Use case (UC) Description Generation web tool and repository;
o Open Datasets representing demo specification and research data for validating Platone publications;
o IEC Common Information Models (CIMs) representing demo field trial grid models;
o SRA Implementation using the open-source D-OPF and scenario generator tools and the CIMs.
• Education Content Production and Community Interactions:
o Platone Educational Video Series about the open-source philosophy of Platone and the exemplary service deployment tutorials;
o FlexCommunity for discussing flexibility-related topics and knowledge sharing;
o Interactive FlexAnimation demonstrating the benefits of digitalization and flexibility.
Demo harmonization involved assessing KPIs to reflect technical/economic impacts. Quantitative scalability and replicability were complemented by qualitative analysis within the Canadian context, identifying barriers. Multi-criteria cost-benefit analysis ranked solutions by cost-effectiveness. IT scalability and updates for the intra-platform interoperability mechanisms and communication protocols ensured POF's future-proofness. Legislative/regulatory framework and standardization were analyzed, yielding solutions and recommendations. Customer involvement was prioritized through engagement workshops and collaboration with similar projects
Platone actively collaborated through strategic partnerships, focusing on DSO experts and end users. SOGNO/DSOTP architecture's acceptance by the Linux Foundation Energy (LFE) presents growth opportunities. Platone engaged actively in BRIDGE working groups, leading Data Management with an open-source UC Repository and Regulatory work with the updated Harmonized Electricity Market Role Models.
Platone legacy will continue in national projects such as RomeFlex and MiNDFlex in Italy, as well as Ensure phase 3 in Germany (part of the “Kopernikus-Projekte” initiative). Collaboration between Fraunhofer FIT and the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research is adapting the SOGNO concept for future service advancements in German DSOs.
At the EU level, elements of Platone are integrated into various endeavors. The LFE project SOGNO is expanding, maintaining Platone's results. The UC Repository and associated software are now hosted by the European Commission. Multiple HEU projects, like BeFlexible and FLOW, are already underway, building upon Platone's foundation. Platone's open approach and architecture support interoperability, aligning with the vision of int:net. New HEU projects like TWINEU and Hedge-IoT are also emerging and poised to benefit from Platone's knowledge and developments.
Platone advances DSO automation and decentralizes intelligence with innovative blockchain technology. It introduces POF, endorsed by the LFE, facilitating stakeholder involvement and smart network management with real-time grid observability. It ensures transparency and tamper-proof data sharing, promoting customer participation in local flexibility markets. The innovation extends beyond meeting DSO needs, also catering to customer expectations. Moreover, the utilization of energy storage decouples the grid from customers, allowing flexibility provision without compromising privacy or daily life. The framework is highly integrable and reusable, leveraging standard data models and interfaces.
The DSOTP's future development, supported by its acceptance into LFE, focuses on service-oriented, API-driven architecture. Data Driven State Estimation enhances knowledge extraction from measurements, while dynamic distribution use-of-system tariffs reduce network costs. Large-scale deployment of PMUs for real-time grid monitoring has been facilitated via valuable lessons learnt in the field trials.
The DSOTP's future development, supported by its acceptance into LFE, focuses on service-oriented, API-driven architecture. Data Driven State Estimation enhances knowledge extraction from measurements, while dynamic distribution use-of-system tariffs reduce network costs. Large-scale deployment of PMUs for real-time grid monitoring has been facilitated via valuable lessons learnt in the field trials.