The electric distribution systems have been experiencing considerable changes in recent years.
The traditional way of producing electricity and supplying customers resulted in power flows going in a one-way direction, from the power plants to the customers, through high voltage lines. This kind of setup of the electric grid dictated various configurations, such as the placement of voltage-regulating devices and the location of protection equipment, which are no longer valid.
So what are the changes?
Electric grids of today are transformed by the vast number of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) that are being deployed. A DER can be a distributed generator, different types of energy storage, an electronic vehicle, an electronic charging station, etc.
With so many different resources being introduced, each with unique characteristics to which the traditional networks and network operators are not accustomed, it is evident that they present new challenges. Additionally, as DERs are variable by nature, and the charging of electronic vehicles is unpredictable, the addition of DERs introduces an added level of uncertainty and variability to distribution networks.
What is the solution?
Distributed energy resource management systems (DERMSs) are developed and used to overcome these challenges and secure reliable and optimal operations of distributed systems.
One of the main benefits of DERMs is that they provide new relay protection methods that are adaptable to the highly dynamic conditions caused by emerging DERs. DERMS adapts relay settings in Real-Time and secures accurate coordination of the protective devices at all times.
The high number of DERs introduced to distribution systems introduces challenges such as reverse power flows, overloads, and high voltages. These challenges cannot be resolved using traditional network assets such as switches, tap changers, and capacitors.
The solution is utilizing flexible services by DERMS to manage these additional constraints.
In addition to resolving existing issues, DERMS can mitigate potential grid violations. This can be achieved by look-ahead constraint management application as part of DERMS.
With the growing addition of fast EV chargers, which can double the peaks of customer demand and the high unpredictability of their usage, the integration of EVs and charging stations can be extremely challenging.
DERMS solves this problem by providing full awareness and controllability of EVs. This is achieved by exchanging data between DERMS and EV aggregators in Real-Time.
The result is safe and violation-free integration of high penetration of EVs.
