Enhanced Transmission and Distribution System Coordination and Control Utilising Distribution Network Capacity and Avoiding Conflicts of Service Offered to Transmission System Operator

Abstract

This paper presents the two solutions proposed to enhance transmission and distribution system coordination and control; simple constraint headroom assessed approach (managed by National Electricity Transmission System ~Operator (NETSO)) and Distribution System Operator (DSO) load flow assessed approach (managed by DSO). Initial sensitivity analysis studies on UK Power Networks and other distribution networks, indicate the NETSO managed approach can be achieved with few signals/data exchange where:There is good understanding of the services conflicts likelihood and pattern of occurrence.Low number of constraints and network configurations which can change the sensitivities.Few signals for NETSO managed approach corresponds to headroom/footroom on each distribution constraints and fixed sensitivities under intact condition. When the distribution system becomes more complex (already happening in some Distribution Network Operator (DNO) networks) with an ANM system managing multiple active constraints; then the NETSO constraint headroom assessed approach (NETSO managed) may require more signals to achieve acceptable results. The proliferation of Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and Active Network Management (ANM) systems on DNO networks where all the network data, schedules and information are available, provides the infrastructure to effectively manage the conflicts of services and distribution system optimisation under DSO managed approach, for simple and complex networks.