Testing TSO-DSO interaction schemes for the participation of distribution energy resources in the balancing market : the SmartNet simulator (original) (raw)

TSO-DSO coordination to acquire services from distribution grids: Simulations, cost-benefit analysis and regulatory conclusions from the SmartNet project

Electric Power Systems Research, 2020

The continuously growing distributed generation and the business potential for demand response are gradually enabling significant provision of flexibility and reserve towards distribution networks. For this reason, transmission and distribution system operators need to coordinate their operation in order to develop efficient market arrangements that can help utilize all the resources capable of providing ancillary services. SmartNet project investigated the potential interaction schemes between network operators, together with the possible new services devoted to the optimal distribution grid management. This paper summarizes the main challenges in simulating complex electricity systems and flexibility markets for three European countries (Italy, Denmark and Spain) in 2030 scenarios. The simulation results are then analyzed using cost-benefit analysis and regulatory conclusions are deduced.

SmartNet: H2020 project analysing TSO–DSO interaction to enable ancillary services provision from distribution networks

CIRED - Open Access Proceedings Journal, 2017

This study presents an overview of the results obtained during the first year of the SmartNet project, which aims at comparing possible architectures for optimised interaction between transmission system operator (TSOs) and distribution system operator (DSOs), including exchange of information for monitoring as well as acquisition of ancillary services (reserve and balancing, voltage regulation, congestion management), both for local needs and for the entire power system. The results concerning TSO-DSO coordination schemes, market design and information and communication technology (ICT) architectures are shown along with the layout of the three technological pilot projects. † Coordination schemes enabling AS provision from distribution grids; † Layout of smart AS markets where flexibility services are purchased by TSO/DSO; † Modelling of the DER providing system flexibility and of their aggregation; † Efficient reformulation of distribution networks models, with particular attention to realise a good trade-off between computational tractability and exactness (second-order cone convex models are implemented); † Identification of critical communication and security requirements related to TSO-DSO coordination and design of an interdependent communication architecture taking into account the different coordination schemes. Additionally, this paper provides insight on the three physical pilots. 2 Five TSO-DSO coordination schemes The need for increased cooperation between TSOs and DSOs is widely recognised by regulators [1, 2]. Within SmartNet, five 24th International Conference & Exhibition on Electricity Distribution (CIRED)

Modelling TSO-DSO coordination: The value of distributed flexible resources to the power system

2019

The interaction between the transmission and distribution system operators is mainly based on a unidirectional flow of information (transmission-to-distribution system operators). The resources in the distribution systems are, hence, not utilized fully in overall power system operations, regardless that they may serve as sources of flexibility to manage renewable energy sources fluctuations. In the existing literature, is not very clear how the coordination of the transmission and distribution system operators can and should be modelled. Accordingly, there is limited insights to the potential value coordination may bring to the overall power system operations. As a result, this paper presents a modelling approach for coordination of the transmission and distribution system operators, where flexibility is provided by distributed energy resources located in the distribution systems. Key findings suggest that the total costs of power system operations are reduced when distributed flexi...

On the Impacts of Multi Agent TE in Distribution Networks Part 1 GTSPF

To contribute the global ongoing energy transition by offering a new holistic approach to model and simulate local energy markets and its impacts in the network, a quasistatic Generic Time-Series Power Flow (GTSPF) is developed to be integrated in the innovative transactive energy ETSim platform. The GTSPF tool is designed in Python environment while utilizing OpenDSS as system solver. The primary objective of the integrated platform is to concentrate on the advancement and testing of decentralized and low-carbon electrical systems. Specifically, it aims to simulate transactional exchanges associated with electricity generation from distributed energy resources (DERs) and analyze the resulting impacts and advantages on the distribution network. This project plays a significant role in investigating methods to achieve dynamic energy exchanges that are customized to the requirements of participating agents, as well as market and technical conditions of the electricity grid.

On the development of organized nodal local energy markets and a framework for the TSO-DSO coordination

Electric Power Systems Research, 2020

In this paper we propose a market design for implementing organized nodal electricity markets for the distribution grid. Distribution System Operators (DSOs) are expected to manage a massive penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as Renewable Energy Resources (RES), Electric Vehicles (EVs), Storage and Demand response. A Day Ahead Market (DAM) and a Real-Time Market (RTM) is proposed to optimize and clear offers and bids submitted by the DERs. A Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) Security Constrained Unit Commitment (SCUC) and a Security Constrained Economic Dispatch (SCED) iterates with a detailed asymmetric and unbalanced three-phased Distribution Power Flow (DPF) to enforce all constraints in the distribution grid. The solution produces Distribution Locational Marginal Prices (DLMPs) for all phases at every node of the distribution grid. A general framework for the coordination of the DSO with the ISO/TSO markets is also presented as an integral part of the proposed multi-level energy market design. The proposed new methodology has been applied to an actual large-scale distribution system. Numerous simulation scenarios have been executed to prove the validity of the proposed approach. In this paper a simple small subset of the actual distribution system is selected to illustrate the proposed methodology.

A Local Electricity Market Model for DSO Flexibility Trading

2019 16th International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM), 2019

The necessity of end-user engagement in power systems have become a reality in recent times. One of the solutions to this engagement is the creation of local energy markets. The distribution systems operators are compelled to investigate and optimize their asset investment cost in reinforcement of grids by introducing smart grid functionalities in order to avoid investments. The congestion management is the one of the most promising strategies to deal with the network issues. This paper presents a local electricity market or flexibility negotiation as a strategy in order to help the distribution system operator in congestion management. The local market is performed considering an asymmetric action model and is coordinated by an aggregator. A case study is presented considering a simulation that uses a low voltage network with 17 buses, which includes 9 consumers and 3 prosumers, all domestic users. Results show that using the proposed market model, the network congestion is avoided by taking advantage from the trading of consumers flexibility.

TSO-DSO coordination and market architectures for an integrated ancillary services acquisition: the view of the SmartNet project

2018

The energy world is facing major challenges as fossil fuel generation is replaced with renewable generation, which is often characterised by variable behaviour. This increases the need for resources to be used to guarantee frequency stability, congestion management, voltage regulation and power quality. At the same time, an increasing number of flexible demand and storage systems is located at distribution level. These resources could potentially be available to provide network services if they are aggregated effectively. To achieve this, however, the roles of the diverse network stakeholders – transmission systems operators (TSOs), distribution systems operators (DSOs) and aggregators – should be reshaped. In tandem with this, the way real-time electricity markets are organised also needs to be adapted to reflect the new operating environment. The project SmartNet (smartnet-project.eu/) compares five different TSO-DSO interaction schemes and different real-time market architectures...

Design and Analysis of Electrical Distribution Networks and Balancing Markets in the UK: A New Framework with Applications

We present a framework for the design and simulation of electrical distribution systems and short term electricity markets specific to the UK. The modelling comprises packages relating to the technical and economic features of the electrical grid. The first package models the medium/low distribution networks with elements such as transformers, voltage regulators, distributed generators, composite loads, distribution lines and cables. This model forms the basis for elementary analysis such as load flow and short circuit calculations and also enables the investigation of effects of integrating distributed resources, voltage regulation, resource scheduling and the like. The second part of the modelling exercise relates to the UK short term electricity market with specific features such as balancing mechanism and bid-offer strategies. The framework is used for investigating methods of voltage regulation using multiple control technologies, to demonstrate the effects of high penetration of wind power on balancing prices and finally use these prices towards achieving demand response through aggregated prosumers.

Effects of Distribution System Characteristics on TSO-DSO Ancillary Services Exchange

2019

Distribution resources are becoming more and more attractive to ancillary services markets, especially since their continuous evolution is gradually replacing the flexibility of conventional power plants. Forwarding distribution flexibility to the transmission system can be significantly affected by the distribution network characteristics (impedance, voltage/current constraints, etc.) and, for this reason, flexible resources has to be aggregated by taking into account grid limitations. A possible way of merging distribution flexibility consists of defining an equivalent capability curve (representing the maximum amount of active/reactive power that can be delivered to the transmission system) which shapes depends on the operational limits of each controllable energy resource and of the hosting distribution network.

Validating Coordination Schemes between Transmission and Distribution System Operators using a Laboratory-Based Approach

2019 IEEE Milan PowerTech, 2019

The secure operation of future power systems will rely on better coordination between transmission system and distribution system operators. Increasing integration of renewables throughout the whole system is challenging the traditional operation. To tackle this problem, the SmartNet project proposes and evaluates five different coordination schemes between system operators using three benchmark scenarios from Denmark, Italy, and Spain. In the project, field tests in each of the benchmark countries are complemented with a number of laboratory validation tests, to cover scenarios that cannot be tested in field trials. This paper presents the outcome of these laboratory tests. Three tests are shown, focusing on controller validation, analysis of communication impacts, and how well price-based controls can integrate with the SmartNet coordination schemes. The results demonstrate important indications for the field tests and also show some of the limitations with the current implementations of the coordinations schemes.