Modelling and characterization of flexible demand

Results:

 

Flexible resources in the power system
CINELDI's Knowledge base

Flexible resources in the power system (WP5)

 

 

During the last decade there have been significant changes to the European energy system due to electrification, decarbonisation, digitalisation and increase in distributed generation based on intermittent energy sources (sun, wind). These changes have resulted in an increased need for flexibility in the power system. Flexibility includes flexible demand, flexible generation, and energy storage.

Utilization of flexible resources can be a cost-effective alternative to grid investment [1], and also enhances the security of electricity supply: energy availability, power capacity, reliability of supply and power quality [2]. To enable large-scale utilization of flexible resources, it is useful to establish unified definitions of the properties which characterize them. This is important both for modelling the resources, but also for facilitating the information exchange between stakeholders. A comprehensive classification framework for characterizing flexible resources is conceptualized in [3].

Modelling the flexible resources in the distribution grid is a useful way of demonstrating their potential impact. The most central flexible resources considered in CINELDI so far, has been demand side flexibility in building operation [4]–[6] and households [7]–[9] and electric vehicle (EV) charging [10]–[14].

Fast charging stations for EVs is another important resource and can be considered as both a flexibility resource and as a load causing grid problems. As a resource, EV charging can be used both for reactive power supply and as a demand-side spatial flexibility resource. A wide range of grid integration alternatives for fast charging stations, and their implications, are analysed in the CINELDI-related project FuChar [15].

Selected publications from CINELDI:

  1. M. Löschenbrand, “A transmission expansion model for dynamic operation of flexible demand,” International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, vol. 124, p. 106252, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2020.106252.
  2. I. B. Sperstad, M. Z. Degefa, and G. Kjølle, “The impact of flexible resources in distribution systems on the security of electricity supply: A literature review,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 188, p. 106532, Nov. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.epsr.2020.106532.
  3. M. Z. Degefa, I. B. Sperstad, and H. Sæle, “Comprehensive classifications and characterizations of power system flexibility resources,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 194. p. 107022, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.epsr.2020.106532.
  4. K. E. Thorvaldsen, M. Korpås, K. B. Lindberg, and H. Farahmand, “A stochastic operational planning model for a zero emission building with emission compensation,” Applied Energy, vol. 302, p. 117415, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117415.
  5. K. E. Thorvaldsen, M. Korpås, and H. Farahmand, “Long-term Value of Flexibility from Flexible Assets in Building Operation,” International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, vol. 138, p. 107811, Jun. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2021.107811.
  6. K. E. Thorvaldsen, S. Bjarghov, and H. Farahmand, “Representing Long-term Impact of Residential Building Energy Management using Stochastic Dynamic Programming,” in 2020 International Conference on Probabilistic Methods Applied to Power Systems (PMAPS), Liege, Belgium, Aug. 2020, pp. 1–7. doi: 10.1109/PMAPS47429.2020.9183623.
  7. M. Z. Degefa, H. Sæle, I. Petersen, and P. Ahcin, “Data-driven Household Load Flexibility Modelling: Shiftable Atomic Load,” presented at the 2018 IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference Europe (ISGT-Europe), Oct. 2018. doi: 10.1109/ISGTEurope.2018.8571836.
  8. B. Fjelldal, M. Fodstad, G. Rosenlund, H. Sæle, and M. Z. Degefa, “Exploring household’s flexibility of smart shifting atomic loads to improve power grid operation and cost efficiency,” presented at the 2020 17th International Conference on the European Energy Market (EEM), Sep. 2020. doi: 10.1109/EEM49802.2020.9221872.
  9. V. Lakshmanan, H. Sæle, and M. Z. Degefa, “Electric water heater flexibility potential and activation impact in system operator perspective – Norwegian scenario case study,” Energy, vol. 236, p. 121490, Dec. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.121490.
  10. H. Sæle et al., “Electric vehicles in Norway and the potential for demand response,” presented at the 2018 53rd International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), Glasgow, UK, 2018. doi: 10.1109/UPEC.2018.8541926.
  11. M. Marinelli et al., “Electric Vehicles Demonstration Projects - An Overview Across Europe,” in 2020 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC), Sep. 2020, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/UPEC49904.2020.9209862.
  12. M. Garau and B. N. Torsæter, “Agent-Based Analysis of Spatial Flexibility in EV Charging Demand at Public Fast Charging Stations,” presented at the 2021 IEEE Madrid PowerTech, Jun. 2021. doi: 10.1109/PowerTech46648.2021.9494818.
  13. I. Ilieva and B. Bremdal, “Flexibility-Enhancing Charging Station to Support the Integration of Electric Vehicles,” World Electric Vehicle Journal, vol. 12, no. 2, Art. no. 2, Jun. 2021, doi: 10.3390/wevj12020053.
  14. I. Ilieva and B. Bremdal, “Implementing local flexibility markets and the uptake of electric vehicles – the case for Norway,” in 2020 6th IEEE International Energy Conference (ENERGYCon), Sep. 2020, pp. 1047–1052. doi: 10.1109/ENERGYCon48941.2020.9236611.
  15. FuChar - Grid and Charging Infrastructure of the Future - SINTEF