Flexibility for congestion management: a demonstration of a multi-mechanism approach

Distribution system operators are investigating new methods to manage network congestion and avoid overloading. Among these methods is the application of flexibility. This paper will present a field implementation as part of the H2020 Interflex project. Two parallel mechanisms will be implemented: a local flexibility market and a variable connection capacity. Multiple aggregators will participate on the local flexibility market, trading flexibility day-ahead and intraday. The DSO can compete for flexibility with other interested parties. In parallel, the concept of variable connection capacity is implemented. The variable connection capacity is based on a contractual agreement between distribution system operator and a customer's point of connection. The connection capacity is set at two levels: off- and on-peak. The scenarios include medium to low voltage transformers and low voltage feeders. In the paper, various test-scenarios are described, and an outlook of the field experiments is provided.