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Methodology for Flexibility in Power Grids

Glava Energy Center is set to explore the potential for flexible utilization and production of electricity in Värmland's power grid. The project is funded by the research company Energiforsk, aiming to develop a model that all of Sweden's grid owners can adopt

Inadequate grid capacity is a growing challenge that hampers the economic development of society and could reduce the competitiveness of businesses. The long lead times for grid expansions pose a problem as the current and future needs of society demand more grid capacity.

According to the electricity law, grid operators' network development plans must now include flexibility as an alternative to constructing new lines. However, there are no established methods to investigate flexibility in power grids, complicating the work on development plans.

Flexibility in the Power Grid

Flexibility in the power grid refers to its ability to adapt to and manage changes in electricity demand and production. A flexible grid can effectively handle variations in energy consumption and production from renewable energy sources like solar and wind without compromising stability and reliability. Flexibility can be associated with smart grid technologies, energy storage systems, flexible production units, and advanced control mechanisms.

What's the Project Aim?

The overarching goal of the project is to create an applicable methodology that facilitates grid owners' work in implementing flexibility in network development plans. The project's specific objectives are to:

  • Assess the potential for actual flexible resources in Värmland's power grid.
  • Develop a methodology through a survey on flexible electricity production and consumption, interviewing consumers and electricity producers.
  • Present possibilities with conditional grid agreements.
  • Present opportunities to realize flexibility in operations.

How is the Project Executed?

In this pilot project, a method to assess the potential for flexibility in Sweden's power grid will be developed. The project starts with the situation in Värmland, where Glava Energy Center's electricity and power analysis for Värmland indicates that the grid's transmission capacity can increase at the earliest after 2030. The possibility of flexibility will be explored through interviews with electricity producers, larger electricity consumers, and information about planned connections to the grid.

The project comprises five different work packages:

  • Work Package 1 – Project Management and Communication
  • Work Package 2 – Establishing Stakeholder Networks
  • Work Package 3 – Data Collection and Information Gathering
  • Work Package 4 – Data Analysis and Forecasting
  • Work Package 5 – Digitalization Opportunities for Flexibility and Methodology Development

Quick Facts About the Project

  • Project Period: October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024
  • Primary Funder: Energiforsk
  • Total Budget: 500,000 SEK
  • Project Coordinator: Glava Energy Center
  • Project Leader: David Olsson, Mobile: +46 730-35 12 37, Email: david.olsson@glavaenergycenter.se
  • Project Partner: Lars Olsson, Seniorit AB

Reference Group

The participants of the reference group come from Ellevio, Arvika Elnät, and the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate, providing valuable guidance and anchoring for the project. The reference group is an important component as it contributes to ensuring the quality and progress of the project.

Lisa Gerdin

Power System Analyst at Ellevio.

 

 

 

Olof Öberg

Grid Manager at Teknik i Väst AB.

 

 

 

Malin Janols

Analyst at the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate (Ei).

Last edited: 26/08 2024

About

Glava Energy Center is an innovation cluster and Sweden's largest test bed, innovation center and training provider in solar energy, solar cells, and energy systems. We have Northern Europe's largest test facility for solar energy and solar cells and are the country's largest independent training provider in the field. With close to 90 members, we operate for and within a broad competence network that includes entrepreneurs, academia, industry, startups, and the public sector.

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Electricity and power analysis for Värmland published

The electricity production in Värmland does not cover the current and future regional electricity demand, but an expansion of, for example, wind and solar power can change that. That is a conclusion in the regional electricity and power analysis that Glava Energy Center produced on behalf of the Värmland County Administrative Board, and which has now been published.