Periodic Reporting for period 3 - FLEXIGRID (Interoperable solutions for implementing holistic FLEXIbility services in the distribution GRID)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-10-01 do 2023-09-30
The energy paradigm is shifting from centralized power plants to distributed generation. In this context, the increasing share of variable RES is challenging the distribution grid in terms of reliability, stability and security of supply. As an answer to these challenges, FLEXIGRID project aims to improve the distribution grid operation making it more flexible, reliable and cost-efficient, through the development of hardware (HW) and software (SW) modules.
How project developments contributed to goals’ fulfilment?
Goal 1: To improve the system flexibility by enhancing the grid hosting capacity of RES towards the energy network decarbonisation. This goal was pursued through developments focusing on DER and demand flexibility, and improved protection systems under high RES penetration.
Goal 2: To increase the observability, controllability and automation of the grid for the improvement of both its security and resilience. This goal was achieved thanks to the advancements in smart grid technologies.
Goal 3: To mitigate short-term and long-term congestions in the distributed grid from an economic efficient point of view. This goal was addressed through specialized smart grid algorithms and HW infrastructure.
Goal 4: To ensure the interoperability and compatibility of the developed solutions with the different platforms used by the European DSOs guaranteeing a proper and secure data management. In this sense, an open-source platform called FUSE was developed and deployed.
Goal 5: To carry out a complete demonstration program up to TRL 8 in four different demo-sites, obtaining reliable results on its replicability and ensuring its attractiveness for European stakeholders, achieved through trials at: (Spain) Focused on smart grid architecture with fault location testing and smart secondary substation (SS) installation. It highlighted the efficiency of automation in areas with high RES, showcasing both new and retrofitted SS; (Greece) It featured a hotel resort with a substation, PV installations, and storage systems. Key use cases included holistic energy system optimization and microgrid congestion management, focusing on optimized local energy use and peak shaving solutions; (Croatia) It featured a MV network designed for urban environments, emphasizing energy flexibility in residential apartments. It involved advanced metering and coordinated energy storage and heating systems; (Italy) It addressed power supply vulnerabilities through a dispatching platform enabling grid operation in islanded modes and integrated Smart RTU technology for real-time monitoring and grid optimization.
Goal 6: To identify and analyse the needs and shortfalls of the distribution grid as well as the obstacles to innovation under the current local and international context and regulation framework. FLEXIGRID focused on addressing the evolving needs of distribution networks and identifying obstacles to innovation and regulatory framework.
Goal 7: To raise awareness among citizens and other relevant stakeholders of the transition towards a low carbon economy considering them as an active player in the energy system. Communication activities were undertaken such as scientific articles publication, as well as participation and organization of conferences and events.
Goal 8: To ensure the exploitation of the project results by developing a corresponding business plan as well as their dissemination by exchanging knowledge with other projects under the BRIDGE Initiative. On the one hand, business cases and strategies for exploiting key results were defined, aligning project's evolution and market context. Furthermore, various dissemination activities were conducted, including participation in the BRIDGE initiative as well as in different events.
How project developments contributed to goals’ fulfilment?
Goal 1: To improve the system flexibility by enhancing the grid hosting capacity of RES towards the energy network decarbonisation. This goal was pursued through developments focusing on DER and demand flexibility, and improved protection systems under high RES penetration.
Goal 2: To increase the observability, controllability and automation of the grid for the improvement of both its security and resilience. This goal was achieved thanks to the advancements in smart grid technologies.
Goal 3: To mitigate short-term and long-term congestions in the distributed grid from an economic efficient point of view. This goal was addressed through specialized smart grid algorithms and HW infrastructure.
Goal 4: To ensure the interoperability and compatibility of the developed solutions with the different platforms used by the European DSOs guaranteeing a proper and secure data management. In this sense, an open-source platform called FUSE was developed and deployed.
Goal 5: To carry out a complete demonstration program up to TRL 8 in four different demo-sites, obtaining reliable results on its replicability and ensuring its attractiveness for European stakeholders, achieved through trials at: (Spain) Focused on smart grid architecture with fault location testing and smart secondary substation (SS) installation. It highlighted the efficiency of automation in areas with high RES, showcasing both new and retrofitted SS; (Greece) It featured a hotel resort with a substation, PV installations, and storage systems. Key use cases included holistic energy system optimization and microgrid congestion management, focusing on optimized local energy use and peak shaving solutions; (Croatia) It featured a MV network designed for urban environments, emphasizing energy flexibility in residential apartments. It involved advanced metering and coordinated energy storage and heating systems; (Italy) It addressed power supply vulnerabilities through a dispatching platform enabling grid operation in islanded modes and integrated Smart RTU technology for real-time monitoring and grid optimization.
Goal 6: To identify and analyse the needs and shortfalls of the distribution grid as well as the obstacles to innovation under the current local and international context and regulation framework. FLEXIGRID focused on addressing the evolving needs of distribution networks and identifying obstacles to innovation and regulatory framework.
Goal 7: To raise awareness among citizens and other relevant stakeholders of the transition towards a low carbon economy considering them as an active player in the energy system. Communication activities were undertaken such as scientific articles publication, as well as participation and organization of conferences and events.
Goal 8: To ensure the exploitation of the project results by developing a corresponding business plan as well as their dissemination by exchanging knowledge with other projects under the BRIDGE Initiative. On the one hand, business cases and strategies for exploiting key results were defined, aligning project's evolution and market context. Furthermore, various dissemination activities were conducted, including participation in the BRIDGE initiative as well as in different events.
The objectives for 3rd reporting period have been achieved and the work carried out is in line with the DoA. Consequently, most of the objectives of FLEXIGRID project have been reached. Main results are:
• Finalization of Pilots: (Spain) Successful results with promising outcomes for self-healing and flexibility algorithms, smart SS, and fault locator validations; (Greece) Validated forecasting algorithms and congestion management solutions; (Croatia) Successful trials emphasized the importance of suitable equipment for urban network management and the feasibility of integrating flexibility solutions; (Italy) Implemented a dispatching platform for islanded operation using hydroelectric plants, highlighting the benefits and challenges, including the need for incentives for Plant Central Regulators.
• Final integration of FLEXIGRID technologies in an open-source platform to ensure interoperability.
• Identification of project impact, potential, and obstacles for replicating FLEXIGRID solutions, providing recommendations for policy makers to improve regulatory frameworks.
• Definition and implementation of Cost-Benefit Analysis Methodology.
• Finalization of strategies for Business Models and Exploitable Results.
• Publication of 31 scientific articles.
• Finalization of Pilots: (Spain) Successful results with promising outcomes for self-healing and flexibility algorithms, smart SS, and fault locator validations; (Greece) Validated forecasting algorithms and congestion management solutions; (Croatia) Successful trials emphasized the importance of suitable equipment for urban network management and the feasibility of integrating flexibility solutions; (Italy) Implemented a dispatching platform for islanded operation using hydroelectric plants, highlighting the benefits and challenges, including the need for incentives for Plant Central Regulators.
• Final integration of FLEXIGRID technologies in an open-source platform to ensure interoperability.
• Identification of project impact, potential, and obstacles for replicating FLEXIGRID solutions, providing recommendations for policy makers to improve regulatory frameworks.
• Definition and implementation of Cost-Benefit Analysis Methodology.
• Finalization of strategies for Business Models and Exploitable Results.
• Publication of 31 scientific articles.
9 solutions have been developed and implemented within 8 use cases demonstrated in 4 pilots: 4 HW solutions, 4 SW modules and 1 open-source platform to ensure their interoperability. The contribution of such developments to project impacts is:
1. Improved stability and flexibility:
Spain: 1.61% reduction in SAIDI.
Greece: islanding event led to a 98.14% decrease in CAIDI.
Croatia: 59.72% decline in CAIDI compared to a 3-minute average.
Italy: 99.04% decrease in CAIDI compared to its 2021 annual average.
2. Curtailment decrease thanks to the improvement of the observability and control over the grid:
Spain: Smart Transformers achieved zero voltage violations. High success rate (93.92%) in feeder mapping via smart meters.
Forecasting errors: (Spain) 11.4% in PV forecasting, (Greece) 9% during peak hours, (Croatia) 9.5% in load forecasting and (Italy) sub 5% in voltage forecasting.
3. Reduction of the reinforcement of interconnections and investments:
Spain: Managed 38.6% of predicted overvoltage events.
Greece: Achieved 15.4% average peak load reduction and 15.6% average energy savings.
Croatia: Recorded a 40.1% average peak load reduction.
Italy: Secured an 11.5% reduction in capacitive reactive power.
4. Capability to manage future energy loads:
The project has developed key innovations to enhance power systems, preparing them for increased electricity demand. The integration of HW and SW modules in demo sites was assessed using SERI (Successful Event Reading Index) and SMRI (Successful Meter Reading Index) KPIs, with success rates ranging between 86.7% and 99.9% across all demo sites.
5. CO2 emissions savings:
Spain: Enhanced monitoring, control, and protection solutions for seamless integration of RES, reducing CO2 emissions and decreasing the need for physical transportation for O&M.
Greece: Employing forecasting and congestion management algorithms for PV and storage, achieving a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions and enhanced self-sufficiency ratios.
Croatia: Enhanced reliability and security of energy supply, addressing RES intermittency challenges, leading to decreased reliance on conventional power plants.
Italy: Demonstrated a 3.05% increase in RES hosting capacity, leading to a corresponding drop in CO2 emissions. Solutions provided indirect benefits in avoiding islanding events too, reducing the need for power from conventional generators, preventing additional CO2 emissions.
1. Improved stability and flexibility:
Spain: 1.61% reduction in SAIDI.
Greece: islanding event led to a 98.14% decrease in CAIDI.
Croatia: 59.72% decline in CAIDI compared to a 3-minute average.
Italy: 99.04% decrease in CAIDI compared to its 2021 annual average.
2. Curtailment decrease thanks to the improvement of the observability and control over the grid:
Spain: Smart Transformers achieved zero voltage violations. High success rate (93.92%) in feeder mapping via smart meters.
Forecasting errors: (Spain) 11.4% in PV forecasting, (Greece) 9% during peak hours, (Croatia) 9.5% in load forecasting and (Italy) sub 5% in voltage forecasting.
3. Reduction of the reinforcement of interconnections and investments:
Spain: Managed 38.6% of predicted overvoltage events.
Greece: Achieved 15.4% average peak load reduction and 15.6% average energy savings.
Croatia: Recorded a 40.1% average peak load reduction.
Italy: Secured an 11.5% reduction in capacitive reactive power.
4. Capability to manage future energy loads:
The project has developed key innovations to enhance power systems, preparing them for increased electricity demand. The integration of HW and SW modules in demo sites was assessed using SERI (Successful Event Reading Index) and SMRI (Successful Meter Reading Index) KPIs, with success rates ranging between 86.7% and 99.9% across all demo sites.
5. CO2 emissions savings:
Spain: Enhanced monitoring, control, and protection solutions for seamless integration of RES, reducing CO2 emissions and decreasing the need for physical transportation for O&M.
Greece: Employing forecasting and congestion management algorithms for PV and storage, achieving a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions and enhanced self-sufficiency ratios.
Croatia: Enhanced reliability and security of energy supply, addressing RES intermittency challenges, leading to decreased reliance on conventional power plants.
Italy: Demonstrated a 3.05% increase in RES hosting capacity, leading to a corresponding drop in CO2 emissions. Solutions provided indirect benefits in avoiding islanding events too, reducing the need for power from conventional generators, preventing additional CO2 emissions.