Techno-Economic Assessment of Flexibility Options Versus Grid Expansion in Distribution Grids

Abstract

In this paper five different flexibility options are analysed from a techno-economic perspective as alternatives to traditional grid expansion for a specific distribution grid in Germany. The options are: two reactive power control strategies with photovoltaic inverters (as a function of the power feed-in, or of the voltage at the connection point), one residential and two large scale battery storage applications (primary control reserve with autonomous reactive power control or self consumption maximisation strategy with autonomous reactive power control). For the pilot grid located in Southern Germany a photovoltaic expansion pathway is determined. The main goal of this work is to quantify the grid expansion actions that can be avoided by applying these five flexibility options for the assumed expansion pathway, focusing on large scale battery storages. It is shown that the five flexibility options increase the hosting capacity for PV systems, compared to a scenario without, by up to 45 %. Furthermore, the results of the economic assessment indicate that the analysed flexibility options might be a viable alternative to traditional grid expansion as all of them show a cost reduction potential for the pilot region. These results could encourage DSOs to consider the integration of additional PV and battery storage systems not as a problem which triggers grid expansion, but as part of the solution reducing future grid expansion costs.

Prospects of electricity storage

“…Economic analysis of selected energy storage technologies [57] suited for load-shifting proved to be uneconomic unless the average maximum daily prices for analysis study case are 100-150 €/MWh, proving that electricity market price plays an important role in energy storage integration. Contrary to previous beliefs that storage limits the further expansion of variable energy generation [58], research shows that energy storage grid integration reduces the inevitable grid expansion costs when compared to traditional distribution grids [59]. The profitability study of PHS plants in Austria shows a reduction of reserve capacity and investments in peaking units in Europe, as the storage capacities increase [60].…”

Collaborative Design and Research of Business Expansion Process Based on Sunlight Business Expansion Platform

“…The generated electricity is difficult to store, which makes the electric power enterprises in a disadvantageous state of "large investment, small return" [3]. Therefore, the user business expansion process must be reasonably planned to ensure the quality and progress of the business expansion project, and improve the economic efficiency of the enterprise while ensuring the quality of business expansion [4]. The platform uses the Internet to provide online interaction and information sharing services for users, enterprises, and service providers.…”

Wind Based Charging via Autonomously Controlled EV Chargers under Grid Constraints

“…On the other hand, the energy demand will have larger peaks and valleys due to concurrent charging of EVs at certain times of the day [2]. The overloading of feeders and lines may lead Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to reinforce the already existing infrastructure or deploy power system flexibility solutions to delay expensive upgrades of the grid [3]. Such flexibility can be provided from EVs, through smart charging.…”

“…Consequently, this technology has the potential to mitigate the negative impacts coming from both RES and EV penetration [5]. As a results, the mass roll-out of smart chargers offers the opportunity to reduce or delay expensive grid upgrades [3]. Flexibility services provided by EVs can be divided into two categories, namely behind-the-meter (BTM) and in-front-ofthe-meter (FTM) [6].…”