Promoting Flexibility from Prosumers through a Novel Generic Charateristics flexibility Model

Energy systems require flexibility - an ability to respond to changes - to integrate higher shares of variable renewable energy. On the whole, flexibility potential from prosumers is significant and stems from various processes. As each flexibility option is unique, before utilization, its potential first must be assessed. This paper presents a universal flexibility model, so called generic characteristic flexibility model (GCM), as tool to characterize and assess most, if not all, flexibility options from prosumers. GCM establishes a generic flexible process with components representing physical parts, e.g. machine and storage, and various administrative decisions, e.g. changes in output delivery or operating hours. Each component is described with essential characteristics and constraints. As demonstrations, three flexible systems representing various sectors - a district heating system, a household appliance, and a production process - are characterized and modelled using GCM. Flexibility in these systems is utilized to minimize costs under time-varying electricity prices and subject to operational constraints. This in turn proves the concept of a universal flexibility model. GCM eases burdens of actors - flexibility providers and users - to develop assessment tools for each flexibility options. Its pre-defined structure and characteristics also support identification of flexible processes and communication between actors. Thus, it helps promoting the utilization of flexibility from prosumers.