Power Grid Optimization on distribution level and forecasting of load and congestions

AI Quick Summary

We aim to help Swiss DSOs manage grid complexity and improve energy efficiency. Our solution focuses on flexibility management, advanced forecasting, and grid stabilization. By integrating decentralized energy resources like EVs and home storage, DSOs can reduce energy waste, monetize flexibilities, and meet regulatory requirements such as the 2% efficiency improvement mandated by Switzerland’s Electricity Act. Project Idea DescriptionFlexibility Management:Collect flexible loads (eCars, Batteries, Heat Pumps a.s.o.) to gain an amount of flexibility (this collection will be done within managed LEG’s, ZEV’s, vZEV’s and in the region of the DSO supply areaUtilize historical data (LV7/LV5) to determine the flexibility needed to alleviate grid problems.Use the flexibility in order to be used forschedule optimization for DSObalance grid congestion from external signalbalance grid congestions using dynamic grid prices within the CEEX digital twinAdvanced Forecasting: Gain insights from short-term (1-15 min), medium-term (15 min - 1 hour), and long-term (1 hour - 2 days) forecasts with confidence intervals to support informed decision-making. Forecasting Demand, Supply and Grid Problems (see below)Grid Problem calculation and forecasting:Collection of the needed dataCalculation of transformer overload, grid, congestions, voltage problems a.s.o.Forecast the problems in terms of the above taskUtilize historical data (LV7/LV5) to forecast grid problems.Problem to Solve:The primary challenge we aim to address is helping Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in Switzerland manage the growing complexity of grid operations while ensuring energy efficiency and grid stability. DSOs are increasingly tasked with integrating renewable energy sources, managing grid congestion, and complying with stricter regulations, such as Switzerland’s new Electricity Act. This growing complexity threatens grid stability, increases operational costs, and limits opportunities for greater efficiency.Who are the Customers:Our primary customers are Swiss DSOs, responsible for ensuring reliable energy distribution and grid stability. These DSOs must adapt to increasing renewable energy sources, changing consumption patterns, and new regulatory demands. Our solutions target DSOs of all sizes, from local operators to those managing larger networks with high volumes of decentralized energy resources.How Customers Will Profit from the Solutions:Our solution helps DSOs stabilize the grid and ensure energy efficiency through a combination of innovative tools and strategies:Grid Stabilization: By optimizing grid management, we help DSOs better balance supply and demand, reducing disruptions and the need for costly interventions.Energy Efficiency: Our system integrates decentralized energy resources, such as electric vehicles and home storage, to optimize energy use and minimize waste.Monetizing Flexibilities: DSOs can benefit financially by selling excess capacity (flexibilities) on the market, turning an operational challenge into a revenue stream.Regulatory Compliance: We assist DSOs in meeting the 2% annual efficiency improvement required by the Electricity Act by enabling them to better manage their grid and integrate energy-saving strategies.Impact on Energy Savings or CO2 Emissions:Our project directly supports energy efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction by:Maximizing renewable energy integration: Our solutions ensure that renewable energy sources like solar power are more effectively utilized, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.Reducing waste through smarter grid management: With better tools for managing the grid and redispatching energy, DSOs can minimize energy loss, leading to significant energy savings.Leveraging decentralized flexibility: By integrating decentralized resources, such as electric vehicles and home energy storage, we enable smarter energy consumption and reduce overall demand on the grid, contributing to lower CO2 emissions.Our long-term vision is to provide DSOs with the tools they need to create a more stable, efficient, and sustainable energy grid. Forecasting is just the first step—laying the foundation for more advanced grid management strategies like redispatching and real-time energy balancing.Current Status and Previous ActivitiesWhat has been tried before:We have been actively engaged in conversations with DSOs to understand their challenges and requirements. Through these discussions, we have gained valuable insights into their current operational hurdles, particularly around grid management and regulatory compliance. Additionally, our project has already secured funding from the Migros Pioneer Fund, which has allowed us to lay the groundwork for our solution.What was not successful:One key takeaway from our customer interactions is that DSOs are not yet ready for redispatch management, primarily due to the complexity of existing regulations and missing data. We realized that attempting to introduce advanced redispatch management immediately would be premature, as both the technology and the regulatory framework aren’t fully aligned with the needs of our customers at this stage.What have we learned:The main lesson learned from these conversations is that we need to take a more phased approach. Starting with smaller, foundational components like load forecasting will allow DSOs to improve their operations incrementally. By starting with forecasting, we are laying the essential groundwork while allowing DSOs to adapt to regulatory changes over time. As rules and regulations evolve, we can scale up towards our larger vision of redispatch management and broader grid stabilization solutions.Our learning is clear: we must meet DSOs where they are now, offering practical solutions they can implement today while positioning ourselves to grow with them as the regulatory environment shifts. This approach ensures that we are both adaptable and prepared to help DSOs navigate the challenges ahead.Resources NeededTo successfully complete this project, we require several key resources, especially as we begin with the forecasting phase:Valuable Input from Co-Creation:Through our participation in the Innovation Booster Energy Lab and collaboration with DSOs, we have already gathered essential insights. However, continued co-creation with industry experts and stakeholders will be critical to refining our solution and ensuring it meets the evolving needs of DSOs.Funding:Adequate funding is essential to bring this project to life. While we have gained initial funding through the Migros Pioneer Fund, further financial support will be required to cover development, deployment, and scaling of our forecasting solution. This funding will also allow us to build the necessary infrastructure for future phases, such as redispatch management.Team Support:We will need further technical and operational support from our team to ensure that we can develop and implement our solutions effectively. Valuable Contacts and Collaboration:Additional connections from the Innovation Booster Energy Lab team would provide us with further opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders in the energy sector. These contacts will help facilitate partnerships that are crucial for scaling the project and navigating regulatory requirements.By securing these resources, we will be well-positioned to implement the initial forecasting solution and continue advancing toward our broader vision of grid stabilization and energy efficiency.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Power Grid Optimization on distribution level and forecasting of load and congestions
• Date: 8/1/2024 9:56:03 AM
• Administrators:
  • Christian Dollfus

Project Idea Description

Project Idea Description

• • Flexibility Management:
    1. Collect flexible loads (eCars, Batteries, Heat Pumps a.s.o.) to gain an amount of flexibility (this collection will be done within managed LEG’s, ZEV’s, vZEV’s and in the region of the DSO supply area
    2. Utilize historical data (LV7/LV5) to determine the flexibility needed to alleviate grid problems.
    3. Use the flexibility in order to be used for
       1. schedule optimization for DSO
       2. balance grid congestion from external signal
       3. balance grid congestions using dynamic grid prices within the CEEX digital twin
  • Advanced Forecasting: Gain insights from short-term (1-15 min), medium-term (15 min - 1 hour), and long-term (1 hour - 2 days) forecasts with confidence intervals to support informed decision-making. Forecasting Demand, Supply and Grid Problems (see below)
  • Grid Problem calculation and forecasting:
    1. Collection of the needed data
    2. Calculation of transformer overload, grid, congestions, voltage problems a.s.o.
    3. Forecast the problems in terms of the above task
    4. Utilize historical data (LV7/LV5) to forecast grid problems.

Problem to Solve:

The primary challenge we aim to address is helping Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in Switzerland manage the growing complexity of grid operations while ensuring energy efficiency and grid stability. DSOs are increasingly tasked with integrating renewable energy sources, managing grid congestion, and complying with stricter regulations, such as Switzerland’s new Electricity Act. This growing complexity threatens grid stability, increases operational costs, and limits opportunities for greater efficiency.

Who are the Customers:

Our primary customers are Swiss DSOs, responsible for ensuring reliable energy distribution and grid stability. These DSOs must adapt to increasing renewable energy sources, changing consumption patterns, and new regulatory demands. Our solutions target DSOs of all sizes, from local operators to those managing larger networks with high volumes of decentralized energy resources.

How Customers Will Profit from the Solutions:

Our solution helps DSOs stabilize the grid and ensure energy efficiency through a combination of innovative tools and strategies:

1. Grid Stabilization: By optimizing grid management, we help DSOs better balance supply and demand, reducing disruptions and the need for costly interventions.
2. Energy Efficiency: Our system integrates decentralized energy resources, such as electric vehicles and home storage, to optimize energy use and minimize waste.
3. Monetizing Flexibilities: DSOs can benefit financially by selling excess capacity (flexibilities) on the market, turning an operational challenge into a revenue stream.
4. Regulatory Compliance: We assist DSOs in meeting the 2% annual efficiency improvement required by the Electricity Act by enabling them to better manage their grid and integrate energy-saving strategies.

Impact on Energy Savings or CO2 Emissions:

Our project directly supports energy efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction by:

• Maximizing renewable energy integration: Our solutions ensure that renewable energy sources like solar power are more effectively utilized, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.
• Reducing waste through smarter grid management: With better tools for managing the grid and redispatching energy, DSOs can minimize energy loss, leading to significant energy savings.
• Leveraging decentralized flexibility: By integrating decentralized resources, such as electric vehicles and home energy storage, we enable smarter energy consumption and reduce overall demand on the grid, contributing to lower CO2 emissions.

Our long-term vision is to provide DSOs with the tools they need to create a more stable, efficient, and sustainable energy grid. Forecasting is just the first step—laying the foundation for more advanced grid management strategies like redispatching and real-time energy balancing.

Current Status and Previous Activities

What has been tried before:

We have been actively engaged in conversations with DSOs to understand their challenges and requirements. Through these discussions, we have gained valuable insights into their current operational hurdles, particularly around grid management and regulatory compliance. Additionally, our project has already secured funding from the Migros Pioneer Fund, which has allowed us to lay the groundwork for our solution.

What was not successful:

One key takeaway from our customer interactions is that DSOs are not yet ready for redispatch management, primarily due to the complexity of existing regulations and missing data. We realized that attempting to introduce advanced redispatch management immediately would be premature, as both the technology and the regulatory framework aren’t fully aligned with the needs of our customers at this stage.

What have we learned:

The main lesson learned from these conversations is that we need to take a more phased approach. Starting with smaller, foundational components like load forecasting will allow DSOs to improve their operations incrementally. By starting with forecasting, we are laying the essential groundwork while allowing DSOs to adapt to regulatory changes over time. As rules and regulations evolve, we can scale up towards our larger vision of redispatch management and broader grid stabilization solutions.

Our learning is clear: we must meet DSOs where they are now, offering practical solutions they can implement today while positioning ourselves to grow with them as the regulatory environment shifts. This approach ensures that we are both adaptable and prepared to help DSOs navigate the challenges ahead.

Resources Needed

To successfully complete this project, we require several key resources, especially as we begin with the forecasting phase:

Valuable Input from Co-Creation:

Through our participation in the Innovation Booster Energy Lab and collaboration with DSOs, we have already gathered essential insights. However, continued co-creation with industry experts and stakeholders will be critical to refining our solution and ensuring it meets the evolving needs of DSOs.

Funding:

Adequate funding is essential to bring this project to life. While we have gained initial funding through the Migros Pioneer Fund, further financial support will be required to cover development, deployment, and scaling of our forecasting solution. This funding will also allow us to build the necessary infrastructure for future phases, such as redispatch management.

Team Support:

We will need further technical and operational support from our team to ensure that we can develop and implement our solutions effectively.

Valuable Contacts and Collaboration:

Additional connections from the Innovation Booster Energy Lab team would provide us with further opportunities to collaborate with stakeholders in the energy sector. These contacts will help facilitate partnerships that are crucial for scaling the project and navigating regulatory requirements.

By securing these resources, we will be well-positioned to implement the initial forecasting solution and continue advancing toward our broader vision of grid stabilization and energy efficiency.

We aim to help Swiss DSOs manage grid complexity and improve energy efficiency. Our solution focuses on flexibility management, advanced forecasting, and grid stabilization. By integrating decentralized energy resources like EVs and home storage, DSOs can reduce energy waste, monetize flexibilities, and meet regulatory requirements such as the 2% efficiency improvement mandated by Switzerland’s Electricity Act.