Proposal of aggregate steady-state distributed energy resource modeling

• Grant number: 22/11517-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: January 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Power Systems
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Caseño Trindade Arioli
• Grantee: Fernanda Caseño Trindade Arioli
• Host Investigator: Bala Venkatesh
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada
• Associated research grant: 21/11380-5 - CPTEn - São Paulo Center for the Study of Energy Transition, AP.CCD

Abstract

The electric power systems are one of the pivots to meet the need for decentralization and decarbonization of the economy; they are part of a transformation characterized, among other factors, by integrating utility and third-party owned Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). If, on the one hand, the DERs allow meeting this need, also representing new business opportunities; on the other hand, they represent challenges to the energy system operators and regulators. The energy system operators must adapt their processes and electric power systems to the massive penetration of DERs hindered by the low observability of the system or the need to deal with unknown portions of the feeders (third party). Because of the limited observability and unreported DER connections, the DERs may not be visible to the energy system planners and operators. However, it is vital to model the DERs connected to the distribution systems; otherwise, distribution systems planning and operation will be inefficient. Additionally, DERs can be modeled aggregated as it is not always possible or not needed to be represented individually because of limitations of the simulation studies (e.g., due to limited computer memory or processing capacity) or because it is not the focus of the study. In this context, this research aims to develop an aggregated model and technique to represent the contribution of DERs that are not visible to the utility. This representation is dedicated to steady-state conditions and can be at medium voltage feeder or power station levels. It is expected that the model(s) should serve the following purposes on a near-real-time basis: (a) describe active/reactive power output under normal operation, and (b) describe contribution to short-circuit current. (AU)