Demonstration Tools for Trading Flexibility in Distribution Grids in Cyprus -The Cases of a Microgrid and Dispersed Prosumers

Abstract

In order to achieve the ambitious targets of the European Union (EU) regarding the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) without the need for significant grid reinforcements, new integrated solutions should enable demand-response schemes and combine the operation of RES with smart grid technologies and energy storage systems. Towards this direction, GOFLEX, being a Horizon 2020 European Project, aims at demonstrating flexibility-trading solutions for cost effective use of demand response schemes in distribution grids. The field tests in Cyprus investigate the cases of the microgrid and the single prosumer. For each case, the role of the Balancing Responsible Party (BRP)/Aggregator is assigned, as an intermediate level for trading flexibility between the microgrid/prosumers and the Distribution System Operator (DSO). Regarding the microgrid case, the campus of the University of Cyprus (UCY) will be examined. This currently consists of several different Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) for controlling the heating and cooling and 350 kWp Photovoltaics (PV). A 10 MWp PV system is also planned to be installed (first phase 5 MWp to be operational within the GOFLEX project) combined with a large energy storage system and a public EV charging station, thus transforming the university campus into an enabled microgrid capable of minimizing the energy cost to the university through effective use of the self-consumption scheme offered by the local Supplier. Therefore, new challenges for offering flexibility to the distribution grid emerge in the form of creating profitable business models for both the UCY and DSO. Concerning the dispersed prosumers within Cyprus, Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS) will be installed at the premises of 26 prosumers with 3 kWp rooftop PV for offering flexibility to the DSO and adopting more grid-friendly energy practices. Another 10 prosumers will test the flexibility from one single load, in order to compare the results with the more complicated HEMS solution. Finally, for both cases, a new tool will be utilised by the DSO to analyse the distribution grid and identify its flexibility needs. Therefore, this paper is focused on investigating the flexibility offered by single prosumers and microgrids in islanded distribution grids in order to satisfy the DSO requirements. Through the installed equipment and the gathered results, new business models will emerge, providing the market environment for the commercialization of the proposed solutions throughout the EU.