Summary:
The Transmission System Operators (TSO) and Distribution System Operators (DSO) coordination literature deals with different coordination schemes or coordination methodologies. However, consumer actions or regular DSO operations continuously affect the system balance operation, and no major coordination is required as these actions individually have negligible impacts on the overall system. The literature has not previously analysed where the limit beyond which coordination is necessary. This question requires an analysis of the DSO operations where the need for coordination is foreseen and a case-by-case study of what type of impacts are created by the activation of the DSO flexibility resources on the responsibilities of the TSO. Such analysis helps to define thresholds and scenarios considering existing changes in distribution networks, which can be a reference for delimitating costly coordination procedures. This paper presents a revision of all the possible scenarios of the DSO operation needs and their impacts on TSO responsibilities considering the possible TSO/DSO borders at different voltage levels. Afterward, a methodology is proposed to analyse more deeply the impact of flexibility activation with an expected significant load increase. Representative case studies evaluate the possible impacts on TSO responsibilities of local flexibility activation. This paper concludes that the impact of local flexibility is expected to be significant when large power changes are managed in the short term, estimated in more than 50 MW if the DSO operates in 132 kV or more than 15 MW if the DSO operates up to 66 kV. At LV or MV level, minor coordination would be needed.
Spanish layman's summary:
Este artículo revisa las operaciones de los DSO y sus impactos en las responsabilidades de los TSOs, proponiendo una metodología para evaluar los impactos de la activación de la flexibilidad y determinar qué tipo de coordinación TSO-DSO es necesaria. Se producen impactos significativos con grandes cambios de potencia, más de 50 MW a 132 kV o 15 MW a 66 kV, mientras que se necesita una coordinación menor a voltajes más bajos.
English layman's summary:
The literature on TSO and DSO coordination addresses various schemes but lacks an analysis of the type of coordination that is necessary. This paper reviews DSO operations and their impacts on TSO responsibilities, proposing a methodology to assess flexibility activation impacts. Significant impacts occur with large power changes, over 50 MW at 132 kV or 15 MW at 66 kV, while minor coordination is needed at lower voltages.
Keywords: TSO–DSO coordination; Electricity market design; System services; Flexibility markets; Real case studies
JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 4,800 - Q1 (2023)
DOI reference:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segan.2024.101482
Published on paper: September 2024.
Published on-line: July 2024.
Citation:
F.D. Martín Utrilla, J.P. Chaves, R. Cossent, Analyzing the boundaries for TSO-DSO coordination when activating flexibility for DSO´s in networks with an expected significant load increase. Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks. Vol. 39, pp. 101482-1 - 101482-14, September 2024. [Online: July 2024]
