Review of congestion management methods for distribution networks with high penetration of distributed energy resources

Abstract

Abstract-This paper reviews the existing congestion management methods for distribution networks with high penetration of DERs documented in the recent research literatures. The congestion management methods for distribution networks reviewed can be grouped into two categories -market methods and direct control methods. The market methods consist of dynamic tariff, distribution capacity market, shadow price and flexible service market. The direct control methods are comprised of network reconfiguration, reactive power control and active power control. Based on the review of the existing methods, the authors suggest a priority list of the existing methods.

Dynamic Power Tariff for Congestion Management in Distribution Networks

“…An aggregator can use a quadratic function to represent the total cost including energy consumption and network tariff as shown in (1). The quadratic term in (1) is due to the DPT received from the DSO ( t R is the DPT; therefore, it is a fixed parameter for the optimizations at the aggregator side).…”

“…Instead of reinforcement of distribution networks, distribution system operators (DSOs) can use smart coordination methods to avoid or mitigate the congestion. A number of such coordination methods have been proposed recently in the literature, such as direct control methods reviewed in [1] and indirect control methods, i.e., market-based methods, including the dynamic tariff (DT) [2]- [5], distribution locational marginal price (DLMP) [6], [7], line shadow price method [8], subsidy-based methods [9]- [12], multiagent system method or transactive control method [13]- [16] and probabilistic congestion management methods [17]- [20].…”

Congestion management with demand response considering uncertainties of distributed generation outputs and market prices

“…The lower-level constraints include: the smart household appliance load constraints (7), the electric consumption quantity constraints of smart household appliances (8)-(10), the EV load constraints (11), the EV's charging quantity constraints (12)- (14).…”

“…Specific to distribution systems, the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as distributed generations (DGs) [1], energy storage devices [2,3], active loads [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] and electric vehicles (EVs) [10][11][12], has greatly changed the operation conditions of the distribution system concerned. DERs are believed to play critical roles in shifting peak loads [7], improving power qualities, enhancing operation efficiency [13] and mitigating possible congestions at distribution system levels [14] in future power systems. On the other hand, the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources as well as the popularization of plug-in EVs will introduce significant uncertainties, and impose challenges to the optimal operation of distribution systems.…”

“…market-based methods and direct control methods. Market-based methods include the day-ahead dynamic tariff, distribution capacity market, intra-day shadow price and flexibility service market [14]. For example, a congestion fee based market mechanism is proposed in [15] where the DSO predicts possible congestions for the coming trading day and publishes tariffs prior to the clearing of the day-ahead market to alleviate distribution congestions; the notion of flexibility clearing houses (FLECH) is proposed in [16] to enable small scale DERs to participate in flexibility service trading; a novel plan that establishes an individual charging plan for each EV to mitigate distribution system congestion while meeting the requirements of EV owners is developed in [17]; three potential strategies for congestion management are presented in [18].…”