Simplified Dispatching Method for Unlocking Energy Flexibilities of Decentralized Energy Systems for the Day‑ahead and Balancing Power Market

Abstract

The expansion of renewable energies in the power supply and the shutdown of conventional power plants can only succeed with an advancing flexibilization of the energy system. Decentralized energy systems, such as the energy supply system of a chemical site, can contribute to this, by unlocking the still unused potential for flexibilization. In order to lower the barriers to market participation, user-friendly and simple methods for the economic evaluation of flexibility with regard to the day-ahead and balancing power market are necessary. Accordingly, in this work a simplified dispatching method considering the day-ahead and the balancing power market in Germany for the mentioned distributed energy systems is developed using mixed-integer linear programming. Linear constraints commonly used in dispatching problems, such as energy balances, conversion efficiencies, and technical constraints, are coupled with new constraints representing the participation in the day-ahead and balancing power market. For the balancing power market the reserve of capacity and the balancing of energy with the uncertainty of calls are taken into account. As a result, the method can be used for day-ahead dispatching by considering the day-ahead energy market and the balancing power market simultaneously. Because the developed simplified method has low computation times compared to stochastic optimization, for example, it can additionally be applied for hourly resolved annual input data. These evaluations can support strategic planning by determining the economic value of flexibility in the event of market participation. Thus, the results form a starting point for further decisions to unlock unused flexibility.