From DNO to DSO: framework, survey and implementation pathway for operations coordination in the European distribution grid

In order to ensure safe and reliable day to day operation of the distribution grid, the Distribution Systems Operator, the DSO, coordinates grid access and power transport services. Until recently the distribution network was operated as a copper plate and operations coordination meant handling of planned and unplanned outages.
The energy transition is having a profound impact on distribution grids. Reverse- and more complex power flows in distribution grids require power- and voltage control. Local flexibility markets need to be integrated and scarce distribution capacity in congested grids requires capacity management. These changes affect operations coordination of the distribution grid. Across various timeframes and stakeholders, activities to operate the grid need to be enhanced.
In this paper, we provide a framework to analyse evolving coordination needs and present an implementation pathway . The pathway is based on a survey of industry developments, policy developments and academic research. grids and
provide the results of a survey of industrial- and academic research in evolving coordination needs. We put our findings of analysis and survey together in a proposal for an implementation pathway for DSO coordination. Main novelties in the transition path are component aware optimisation, a focus shift from forecast based optimisation to coordination across activities, and lifecyele aware
optimisation, improving the line of sight from week ahead until real-time.