Flexibility harvesting and its impact on stakeholder interaction – key messages
The electrical energy system is transitioning in the way that electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed. Due to these changes, system operators are faced with various challenges (technical, ICT, regulatory and economic) to accommodate new technologies due to the drive toward modern power systems. However, these changes have also allowed for the increased opportunity for system development and the inclusion of new market players. Flexibility will provide network operators (together with other stakeholders such as prosumers, aggregators, etc.) with the possibly to increase the stability of the electrical system and ensure the safe, secure and reliably of supply. Stakeholder interaction is key to facilitate and enable the integration and utilization of flexibility in future power systems.
TSO-DSO Coordination: the UK case
With increasing requirements for flexibility in electricity girds, coordination between operators of the transmission and distribution networks becomes increasingly crucial. This paper attempts to to capture the views and insights from experts within the UK on this topic and the UK experience.
Capturing Flexibility in Local Energy Systems Workshop
Canada, with ISGAN Annex 6, is hosting a public workshop titled “Capturing flexibility from local energy systems,” inviting participants to explore the role distributed energy resources (loads, storage devices, and small generation) will have in a deeply decarbonised, next generation smart grid.
Webinar: FlexPlan project
Storage and flexible exercise of big industrial and tertiary loads can be an alternative to plan the build-up of new lines. However, a new methodology is necessary in order to assess the best grid planning strategy, in term of an analysis of techno-economic optimum in the system perspective.
There are strong regulatory signals prompting European system operators to consider flexible resources as a new important active subject in the grid expansion planning process for the system operators. Despite considerable efforts from ENTSO-E to develop common methodologic principles, there are still several missing elements in the puzzle. On some issues there is a clear disagreement between TSOs and DSOs, like for example costs allocation principles.
Regarding the evolution of roles and responsibilities, in a 10-20 years’ timeframe it is likely that TSOs will remain responsible for system balancing and congestion management in their respective networks, while DSOs will be allowed to deal with congestion in their own distribution network. Meanwhile the European Commission has started the formalisation process of several new business actors, including so-called Citizens Energy Communities. The introduction of these new actors could change the landscape and roles/procedures applied both in the planning and in the operation phases.
