Research

Smart Grids: Grid Integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) 

The distribution network supplies electricity directly from the transmission system to end users and has been historically designed for unidirectional power flows and with very limited observability. This infrastructure that delivers electricity to our houses, shops, buildings, etc, will need to undergo significant developments to cope with the increased levels of small-to-medium scale distributed energy resources (DER) such as solar PV systems, wind farms, storage, and electric vehicles, and to make the most of large amounts of data. 

From the highly granular and detailed modelling of medium and low voltage networks and DER technologies, to the stochastic quantification of whole-network impacts due to high DER penetrations, to the exploitation and, more importantly, the identification of the most cost-effective integration solutions for both network operators and end users, we are positioned as one of the strongest groups worldwide. Working directly with electric distribution companies, we provide academic expertise and facilities to test and develop solutions to bring electricity distribution networks into the low-carbon future.

Smart Grids: Data-Driven Approaches for the Operation and Planning of DER-Rich Distribution Networks

Residential distributed energy resources (DER) such as solar PV systems, batteries, and electric vehicles are installed behind the meter of mainly single-phase customers connected to three-phase low voltage (LV) feeders (eg, 400V line-to-line). This means that for distribution companies to adequately quantify the impacts from reverse power flows due to excess solar PV generation or much higher demand due to electric vehicles, the corresponding electrical models are required. These models are critical when calculating voltages given the non-linear and unbalance nature of LV feeders. However, the task of producing electrical models of thousands of LV feeders is already a significant challenge for distribution companies around the world, which, in turn, makes the operation and planning of PV-rich LV networks even more challenging. It is in this context that the exploitation of historical smart meter data can not only help distribution companies with their modelling tasks but also provide radical alternatives to how they operate and plan future DER-rich LV networks.

Working directly with electric distribution companies and taking advantage of historical smart meter data, we are at the forefront of demonstrating that is possible to capture the physics of three-phase LV circuits and create a model-free approach to calculate voltages. These model-free calculations can be used to estimate the maximum power exports or imports of individual customers (also known as operating envelopes) as well as to assess the impacts (or hosting capacity) of residential solar PV or electric vehicles.

Smart Grids: Future Distribution System Operators (DSOs)

For Smart Grids to truly emerge, traditional electric distribution companies need to evolve into engaged, flexible Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in which network elements and participants (consumers, generators, and those that do both) are actively managed to fulfill technical, economic, and environmental objectives. This requires advanced Distribution Network Management Systems as well as adequate operational architectures to ensure coordination across the whole power system.

We are leading in this area by investigating the large-scale applicability of centralised and hierarchical real-time control techniques, including the use of multi-voltage level unbalanced Optimal Power Flow. Our research is also looking at the diverse interactions and unexpected consequences (eg, network issues) resulting from the future provision of bottom-up services, ie, end users with flexible elements (such as storage) providing services (eg, energy, active/reactive power, voltage regulation) to the national system operator or even the DSO. Understanding these interactions will be key to determining the most adequate architecture for the implementation of future DSOs.

Our Expertise

• Distribution Networks (modelling, analysis, operation, planning, optimisation)

• Network Integration of DER (renewables such as wind and solar PV, battery storage, electric vehicles, modelling, impacts, management, aggregation, planning)

• Smart Grids (active network management, optimisation, hardware-in-the-loop)

• Smart Meter Data-Driven Approaches (data analytics)