Managing flexibility in the distribution grid

Abstract

Higher loads through the increasing spread of electric vehicles and according charging points as well as heat pumps will put the distribution grid under pressure in the near future. Volatile supply from growing PV generation makes it even harder to guarantee secure grid operation. The provision and use of flexibility, i.e. opportunities to decrease and increase loads and generation at certain times, is one way to stabilise the distribution grid operation. In the work presented here, we propose a flexibility plat-form where flexibilities at the prosumer side are matched against potential flexibility needs of the grid operator. In case of a match the service providing prosumers are remunerated by the grid operator. Simulation results indicate that resulting costs depend on the configuration of the home energy man-agement systems and prosumer behaviour.