Coordinated operation of distributed energy resources to enhance local flexibility

This research focuses on the comparison of different control strategies for coordinated operation of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as photovoltaic (PV), wind, battery energy storage system (BESS) and load demand management, especially in the case of flexible loads and electric vehicles (EVs), by means of a holistic control implemented on a smart distribution transformer with on-load tap changer (OLTC). The aim of the work is to increase low-voltage (LV) grid hosting capacity (HC), minimise power losses and improve equipment health index (HI). This study presents the results of the DISCOVERER (Distributed and Intelligent System for Coordination and Optimisation of Voltage to Empower Renewables and Electric Resources) and the HOLISTICA (Holistic Optimisation of Losses using an Improved Synergy of Technologies under an Innovative Coordination Algorithm) research, carried out through Transnational Access in the ERIGrid consortium. Both projects experimentally assessed the performance of different voltage control strategies in two leading European Smart Grid Laboratories: Test Centre for Smart Grids and Electromobility (SysTec) of the Fraunhofer IEE, and the Energy System Integration Lab (SYSLAB) of the Denmark Technical University (DTU).