Earning money while supporting power grid stability
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Dec 03, 2024

Consumers now have an opportunity to play a pivotal role in enhancing power grid flexibility while also reaping financial rewards. In her doctoral dissertation at the University of Vaasa, Finland, Hosna Khajeh presents innovative methods to leverage energy users' flexibility resources, such as home batteries, air conditioners, and renewable energy systems, to support both distribution and transmission networks.

As the energy sector increasingly relies on weather-dependent renewable energy sources, the need for more adaptable power systems is paramount. Khajeh's research outlines how individual consumers, local energy communities, and industrial hydrogen systems can act as flexibility service providers for system operators, ensuring consistent energy supply.

"While flexibility services for transmission system operators are well-developed, less attention has been given to those for distribution system operators," explained Khajeh, who will defend her dissertation on December 3 at the University of Vaasa. She highlighted that consumers could gain financial benefits by providing flexibility services, creating a win-win situation for both the energy system and its users.

Practical Approaches to Flexibility Services
Khajeh's research introduces mathematical tools to help consumers manage and schedule their energy resources effectively, enabling them to align energy usage with the requirements of system operators. These methods also help consumers maximize profits from their resources.

Her findings can assist distribution system operators, such as Vaasan Sahkoverkko in Finland, in enhancing network stability, offering new services, and improving overall grid flexibility.

Global Implementation Challenges and Opportunities
Deploying these methods will require substantial advancements in automation, telecommunication, and planning at both national and global levels. According to Khajeh, "We need flexibility utilisation enabling advanced automation and telecommunication solutions, common transmission and distribution network planning and operating principles as well as market platforms and tariff solutions."

Khajeh's research utilized data from Fingrid, Finland's national electricity transmission grid operator, along with modified household energy consumption data provided by Vaasan Sahko, to develop her findings.

The dissertation, titled The Flexibility of Future Power Systems - Provision of Flexibility Services to the System Operators by Different Energy Resources, is accessible here

Related Links
University of Vaasa