Second EASY-RES Progress Report 2019
- 11:29AM Nov 05, 2019
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Sound progress has been made in the eight work packages (WPs) of EASY-RES since we have released our first progress report in April this year. We are proud to present the second volume of our regular biannual progress report for 2019, in which we provide detailed insights into the progress of each of our work packages.
WP1 – Quasi Steady-State Operation
We improved the method for optimal regulation of the voltage in medium voltage distribution grids by adding a new feature. This feature allows the DSO to primarily optimise one of the following two parameters: the losses within the distribution grid or the number of the switching of the On-Load-Tap-Changer of the high/medium voltage transformer. This bi-optimal voltage regulation method is described in detail on our website. To achieve its objective this new methodology relies on the accurately coordinated use of the reactive power capability of DRES connected closely to the main bus of the distribution grid. This methodology was published in a highly ranked journal (IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion) and is of high scientific value. It allows the voltage regulation at minimum cost while relying only on the reactive power exchanged by the DRES. We defined the power smoothing duties at DRES level and at distribution grid level. Power smoothing intends to make the DRES driven by PVs and wind generators more grid-friendly by limiting the inherent fluctuations of their active power. We intend to limit the ramps of active power at the output of two levels: at the level of DRES we use ultracapacitors and at the distribution system level we attain that goal by working with central batteries. Through that, we expect that the conventional reserves now committed to address high ramps of power will be significantly reduced despite the increase in DRES penetration. At this stage, we developed a suitable control algorithm for performing this functionality. This functionality has been incorporated into the Unified Model of the EASY-RES converters.
WP1 Leader: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
WP1 Contact: Charis Demoulias (chdimoul@auth.gr)
WP2 – Development of DRES/BESS Converter Functionalities for Dynamic and Transient Response
We developed the unified virtual synchronous generator and hence, finished our third task in EASY-RES. The generator enables several Ancillary Services (AS) from the distributed renewable energy sources (DRES): Inertia emulation, primary frequency response, high frequency power smoothing and active harmonic filtering.
WP2 Leader: Universidad de Sevilla
WP2 Contact: Juan Mauricio (jmmauricio@us.es)
WP3 – Protection Coordination
We have been investigating protection problems under increasing DRES penetration during the last months. We formulated the most common protection issues mathematically and established protection rules for low and medium voltage distribution. Based on these results we estimated the maximum amount of DRES that distribution grids can host while avoiding additional investments. The maximum amount will form the basis for our future research on how converter-interfaced DRES should be controlled during faults. This is necessary to be able to increase the DRES penetration in distribution grids without deteriorating the effectiveness–reliability of the protection system. Controlling the responses of DRES during faults is one of the functionalities that will be incorporated in the Unified Model of the EASY-RES converters.
WP3 Leader: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
WP3 Contact: Charis Demoulias (chdimoul@auth.gr)
WP4 – ICT infrastructure for ICAs & µGs
We have been analysing several security issues in the grid as well as appropriate security and resilience mechanisms which can be suitable for the integration into EASY-RES. We chose an ICT framework that offers the possibility to integrate diverse requirements that are necessary in EASY-RES. This framework can be mapped to the architecture that we designed in the last deliverable.
We also have been elaborating on the accounting of Ancillary Services (AS). We specified the requirements for transactions, i.e. the delivering of an AS and the respective remuneration. We found appropriate algorithms and tested their performance on a computing cluster to prove their feasibility for the EASY-RES environment.
We attended a couple of conferences, presented our work there, and published several articles on our topics. Last but not least, we are glad to announce that both theses of our colleagues Anish Jindal and Ramona Kühn in the context of their university studies have been awarded.
WP4 Leader: Universität Passau
WP4 Contact: Hermann de Meer (hermann.deMeer@uni-passau.de)
WP5 – Cost analysis, new market opportunities & development of AS-based business models
The deliverable on the cost functions associated with the provision of AS was finished at the beginning of September, taking into account the previous work collected in deliverable D5.2 about the portfolio of AS.
The approach required for each AS differs from one to another. The differences stem from the respective supercapacitors and the corresponding DC/DC converter. Also the relatively needed converter oversizing, frequency regulation, different energy costs and the batteries used result in different costs for different AS. Currently, we focus on identifying stakeholders and associated revenue streams.
Furthermore, a member of our team in Seville was staying at the AUTH-University in Thessaloniki/ Greece from mid-July to mid-October. He upskilled himself in the definition of algorithms to be implemented in the project to provide power smoothing as an AS.
WP5 Leader: Universidad de Sevilla
WP5 Contact: Jose Luis Martinez Ramos (jl.martinez.ramos@gmail.com)
WP6 – Validation & Evaluation
We have been developing the working prototype of the EASY-RES converter. The prototype is nearly completed. Currently, we are implanting the EASY-RES controller based on the work done in WP1, WP2 and WP3. We started the controller implementation with the lower control levels: CTRL0 for the PWM control of the IGBTs, CTRL1 for the current control and CTRL2 for the voltage control. We will be ultimately able to offer the control levels CTRL3 and CTRL4 as services. They will provide services like virtual inertia and primary frequency response. Now, we are preparing the HIL testing environment for the unit testing of the EASY-RES ancillary services, which will take place in the next few months.
WP6 Leader: TU Delft
WP6 Contact: Milos Cvetkovic (m.cvetkovic@tudelft.nl)
WP7 – Dissemination & Exploitation
EASY-RES was present at various events: From 12th to 14th of November we were at the European Utility Week in Paris (Click on the link for further information: https://www.easyres-project.eu/event/european-utility-week-2019/ ). Moreover, we presented EASY-RES at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona from the 19th to the 21st of November. Early next year, EASY-RES will attend the E-world Energy & Water in Essen, Germany, from 11th to 13th of February 2020 (Click on the link for further information: https://www.e-world-essen.com/en/ ). We are looking forward to meeting you there!
WP7 Leader: Zentrum Digitalisierung.Bayern
WP7 Contact: Andrea Deisenrieder, Maximilian Irlbeck (info@easyres-project.eu)
WP8 – Project Management & Coordination
We continued the work on the cluster mentioned in the first progress report. We agreed on a main objective for the cluster. The objective is a comprehensive definition of the AS, which can be offered to the distribution grids or to the transmission grids by the DRES. The definition should include several aspects: The measurement and the quantification of the AS as well as the quantification of the costs and benefits associated with their introduction. Momentarily, such a definition does not exist at the distribution grid level.
Furthermore, we reviewed EASY-RES for its first 13 months of work. The result was almost completely positive.
WP8 Leader: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
WP8 Contact: Charis Demoulias (chdimoul@auth.gr)
Picture: © Jens Van Lysebettens – stock.adobe.com