Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FLEXIGRID (Interoperable solutions for implementing holistic FLEXIbility services in the distribution GRID)
Berichtszeitraum: 2021-04-01 bis 2022-09-30
In recent years, the energy paradigm is shifting from big-size centralized power plants to small-medium size distributed variable generation electricity sources injecting energy in a bi-directional power flow grid. In this context, the increasing share of variable and unpredictable renewable energy sources (RES) is challenging the electric grid in terms of reliability, stability and security of supply. Indeed, the European renewable target for 2030 (32% of total energy consumed) means that more than 50% of electricity will be generated from RES, most of which will be connected to the MV and LV grids. Furthermore, the EU’s policies have encouraged the development of decentralised electricity generation, electric vehicles, energy storage and flexible demand.
As an answer to these present and incoming challenges, the main goal of FLEXIGRID project is to improve the distribution grid operation making it more flexible, reliable and cost-efficient, through the development of four hardware solutions and four additional software modules. These solutions will be demonstrated in four Demo-Sites across Europe ensuring their interoperability through its integration into an open-source platform able to harmonize the data flow between FLEXIGRID solutions and the real grid.
As an answer to these present and incoming challenges, the main goal of FLEXIGRID project is to improve the distribution grid operation making it more flexible, reliable and cost-efficient, through the development of four hardware solutions and four additional software modules. These solutions will be demonstrated in four Demo-Sites across Europe ensuring their interoperability through its integration into an open-source platform able to harmonize the data flow between FLEXIGRID solutions and the real grid.
Within 2nd reporting period, regarding the tasks related to the management of the project, the governance structure, management tools and communication methods and flows were used as defined. In addition, based on Consortium Agreement and project calculation results, 1st interim payment was distributed to FLEXIGRID consortium in month 24 (i.e. September 2021). Furthermore, project has been closely monitored and quality control plan has been continuously tracked so that deliverables deadlines and quality (in form and content) were carefully fulfilled.
In this period, Zenodo community for the project has been managed and RRI events were organised at demo sites premises. On the other hand, during the reporting period, Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) forms were filled by the partners handling customers’ data and updated as need arose, Data Processing Agreements (DPA) were signed between the demo partners who provide the data and the partners responsible for handling the data, Customers’ Data Requirements were prepared and updated by responsible partners as need arose and Consent/Opt-out forms were prepared for the pilot partners who have end-user participants in their demo-sites.
Related to hardware solutions, within 2nd FLEXIGRID period, the prototypes for the secondary substation of the future and the new generation of smart meters have been finished and validated in laboratory, the simulation of feeder mapping algorithm has been completed and all the input information for the Energy Box has been gathered and considered to finish the Energy Box hardware and software development. In addition, RTDS testing for both ZIV and CIRCE improved algorithms has been executed and the development of new protection systems for scenarios with high penetration of renewable energy sources has been completed and validated.
With regards to software solutions, during the phase corresponding to this report, developed algorithms were debugged and improved, passing local verification tests and leaving the way prepared for the deployment phase, with which there has been an important interaction. Coordination with integration work package has also allowed the gradual integration of monitoring and control signals.
Referring to integration tasks, the final version of the logical architecture was obtained, properly mapping into the different demo sites. Besides, software security configurations, that will rule over the overall FLEXIGRID infrastructure and its diverse components, were defined and the design and validation of interconnections through the infrastructure were settled. All in all, these actions led to the definitive set up of the ICT platform envisioned at the beginning. Finally, functional User Interfaces were prepared based on involved partners expectations, leading to the use of Kibana and Dash Plotly.
Concerning demo sites deployment, in this 2nd period, demonstration campaign of each country was started and mid-term reports were performed.
Regarding the exploitation of FLEXIGRID results, thus the identification of the most convenient ways for market deployment, 2 updates of project business models, IPR management and exploitation strategies were carried out.
Finally, the Communication and Dissemination Plan was followed and several actions to call attention to the project were performed. Furthermore, FLEXIGRID was present and participated in different events and 5 new scientific papers were published.
In this period, Zenodo community for the project has been managed and RRI events were organised at demo sites premises. On the other hand, during the reporting period, Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) forms were filled by the partners handling customers’ data and updated as need arose, Data Processing Agreements (DPA) were signed between the demo partners who provide the data and the partners responsible for handling the data, Customers’ Data Requirements were prepared and updated by responsible partners as need arose and Consent/Opt-out forms were prepared for the pilot partners who have end-user participants in their demo-sites.
Related to hardware solutions, within 2nd FLEXIGRID period, the prototypes for the secondary substation of the future and the new generation of smart meters have been finished and validated in laboratory, the simulation of feeder mapping algorithm has been completed and all the input information for the Energy Box has been gathered and considered to finish the Energy Box hardware and software development. In addition, RTDS testing for both ZIV and CIRCE improved algorithms has been executed and the development of new protection systems for scenarios with high penetration of renewable energy sources has been completed and validated.
With regards to software solutions, during the phase corresponding to this report, developed algorithms were debugged and improved, passing local verification tests and leaving the way prepared for the deployment phase, with which there has been an important interaction. Coordination with integration work package has also allowed the gradual integration of monitoring and control signals.
Referring to integration tasks, the final version of the logical architecture was obtained, properly mapping into the different demo sites. Besides, software security configurations, that will rule over the overall FLEXIGRID infrastructure and its diverse components, were defined and the design and validation of interconnections through the infrastructure were settled. All in all, these actions led to the definitive set up of the ICT platform envisioned at the beginning. Finally, functional User Interfaces were prepared based on involved partners expectations, leading to the use of Kibana and Dash Plotly.
Concerning demo sites deployment, in this 2nd period, demonstration campaign of each country was started and mid-term reports were performed.
Regarding the exploitation of FLEXIGRID results, thus the identification of the most convenient ways for market deployment, 2 updates of project business models, IPR management and exploitation strategies were carried out.
Finally, the Communication and Dissemination Plan was followed and several actions to call attention to the project were performed. Furthermore, FLEXIGRID was present and participated in different events and 5 new scientific papers were published.
Within FLEXIGRID project, 9 solutions are being developed and tested. On the one hand, 4 hardware solutions are being obtained: (S1) Secondary substation of the future, (S2) New generation of smart meters with improved feeder-mapping capabilities, (S3) Protections for high RES penetration, (S4) a multi-purpose concentrator able to control grid assets, called Energy Box. On the other hand, 4 software modules are being developed: (S5) Software module for fault location and self-healing, (S6) Software module for forecasting and grid operation, (S7) Software module for congestion management, (S8) Virtual thermal energy storage model. Finally, the interoperability of these solutions will be ensured through its integration into an open-source platform (S9).
The solutions developed within the framework of this project can be associated to the implementation of the 8 use cases demonstrated in four pilots of the project. To quantify the impacts, five main indicators have been selected:
1) Improved stability and flexibility via the reduction of SAIDI and SAIFI;
2) Curtailment decrease thanks to the improvement of the observability and control over the grid;
3) Reduction of the reinforcement of interconnections and investments needed to maintain the quality and stability of the grid;
4) Improve the capability to manage future energy loads; and
5) CO2 emissions savings due to the larger penetration of share RES, contributing to the 2030 Climate-Energy objectives.
The solutions developed within the framework of this project can be associated to the implementation of the 8 use cases demonstrated in four pilots of the project. To quantify the impacts, five main indicators have been selected:
1) Improved stability and flexibility via the reduction of SAIDI and SAIFI;
2) Curtailment decrease thanks to the improvement of the observability and control over the grid;
3) Reduction of the reinforcement of interconnections and investments needed to maintain the quality and stability of the grid;
4) Improve the capability to manage future energy loads; and
5) CO2 emissions savings due to the larger penetration of share RES, contributing to the 2030 Climate-Energy objectives.