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Peer to Peer Smart Energy Distribution Networks (P2P-SmartTest)

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - P2P-SmarTest (Peer to Peer Smart Energy Distribution Networks (P2P-SmartTest))

Reporting period: 2016-07-01 to 2017-12-31

P2P-SmartTest project investigated and demonstrated an electricity distribution system integrated with advanced Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), regional markets and innovative business models. It employed Peer-to-Peer (P2P) approaches to ensure the integration of demand side flexibility and the optimum operation of DER and other resources while maintaining second-to-second power balance and the quality and security of the supply.
The technical work packages provided results for P2P operation of smart grid in all layers including the connectivity (ICT), energy trading and grid operation. These P2P results in different layers of energy system were validated in a set of demonstrations.
For achieving its’ goals, the project had four main objectives to tackle:
Objective 1: To develop business models for all stakeholders of the grid for P2P energy trading to capture the whole supply chain value while maintaining second-by-second power balance, maximizing Demand Response (DR) and DER utilization and ensuring supply security.
Objective 2: To evaluate existing ICT technologies for (a) the optimized and robust P2P energy trading and balancing, (b) active electricity network management, DR, load balancing and forecasting, congestion management and capacity calculation, and (c) optimum, and stable grid operation during normal/abnormal operating conditions.
Objective 3: To develop P2P advanced optimization techniques to provide efficient P2P energy market trading. In order to fulfil a real integration of the flexibility of demand and DER management using P2P, the whole market domain will be explored including products/services to be traded and certification mechanisms to be implemented.
Objective 4: To develop P2P based control paradigm of distribution networks, integrate probabilistic and predictive control functions to enable and facilitate the P2P based energy trading and better network operation under dynamic and uncertain conditions, and model of dynamic demand for operational functions of P2P smart distribution networks.
The WP1 was project management and one of the results is the P2P-SmarTest web page available http://p2psmartest-h2020.eu/. In business and market oriented work (WP2) the project has assessed the current status in UK, Finland and Spain as exemplary markets. We have concluded that there are varying degree of regulatory barriers and other obstacles that need to be addressed in the forthcoming business models. Based on the project assumption novel business models were generated that are based on sharing models and ecosystem thinking.
The WP3 analysed how existing telecommunications networks could be used for smart grid communications, especially how the peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading communications can be supported by existing telecommunications networks. We have defined key performance indicators that solutions developed in WP3 must meet and the order of importance ranked by analytical hierarchy process. Novel solutions for ad-hoc type or device-to-device communications LTE have been proposed and the results of suitability of different ICT mechanisms are available.
In WP4, the project proposed a distributed algorithm where microgrids only need to exchange energy bids and prices and the market clearing process is carried out in a distributed manner with no need of a central node. The algorithm has been applied to isolated microgrids with different topologies and microgrids interacting with the wholesale market through an aggregator. An aggregator algorithm was developed to allow the management of demand response and distributed generation in a similar way than the traditional generation assets. Models and scheduling optimization methods have been elaborated for all types of flexible loads. The project proposed how to implement, for P2P-Trading, the measurement and verification process, that has usually been a barrier for the deployment of Demand Response.
In WP5, control functions under P2P control paradigm to mitigate the technical issues in distribution networks were proposed. These control functions include network reconfiguration, coordinated voltage control, demand side management (DSM), and congestion and capacity management. The results include: 1) P2P energy trading and local demand supply balance of distribution networks, 2) Demand flexibility and its impact on facilitating P2P energy trading and local demand supply balance, 3) Power electronic devices, e.g. Soft Open Points, were used in distribution networks to mitigate voltage exclusion, thermal overloading, and control power flows and 4) A distributed voltage control was introduced to minimize voltage deviations as well as P2P gossiping algorithm for voltage measurement dissemination over the grid.
In WP6, demonstration of P2P energy trading was performed in ATENEA and WALQA micro grids indicating feasibility of the proposed mechanisms. The P2P control layer demonstrations (that were held in EnergyVille - Genk, Belgium - with ICT solution and Cardiff) have shown the viability of P2P control paradigm (e.g. P2P voltage control).
In WP7, the dissemination activities so far include 23 conference papers, 13 journal and magazine papers, 2 accepted sessions in ISGT’16 and ICC’17, demo booth and session in EUNCN2017 and the final demonstration in EUW2017 in Amsterdam. The project was presented to larger audience in more than 10 regional events.
We see a number of expected impacts provided by the project including at least:
1) Replicability: The results of P2P-SmarTest may be readily deployed in new industrial and residential microgrids given that the DSO promotes it and national regulation allows. In existing distribution systems, some of the results could be deployed e.g. in the next generation of smart meters, smart fuse panels or smart home automation systems. The P2P energy trading can be deployed also in existing distribution systems with novel electricity contracts models.
2) Socio-economics: As P2P-SmarTest promotes the use of energy where it is produced, distribution losses are expected to reduce. Thus more energy will be produced using RES locally and consequently relieve local loads from relying on distant generation. One of the focuses of P2P energy trading model would be near real time optimal load balancing.
3) Environment: The environmental impacts of P2P-SmarTest may be seen as indirect given that this project will offer results and tools for distribution system operation foreseen to facilitate the large scale use of emission free micro-generation (DER) and demand response down to household and even individual load level.
4) Market Transformation: P2P-SmarTest results are targeted to opening up new markets for advanced grid technologies and system architectures to foster European industries' competitiveness and at the same time promoting an open market for services deployment.
5) Policy: this project has identified that in 5G, the energy sector vertical requirements should be emphasized both in the technical requirements but especially in frequency regulation to allow for shared spectrum access or unlicensed spectrum to enable the so called neutral hosts may in the future provide e.g. DSO’s, TSO’s and the prosumers tailored ICT and other services. Furthermore, in many European markets, the deployment of DER and trading of locally generated energy is heavily regulated and thus more flexible market designs should be promoted.
Structure and estimated results of P2P-SmarTest project