On the Micro-Grid and Multi Micro-Grid Impact Assessment: Cost and Benefits Evaluation Towards the power system of the future: Active distribution networks

摘要

The implementation of innovative network solutions to allow for an increase of micro-generationand demand side integration are highly dependent on building scale and cost effective infrastructures,where sharing of responsibilities among different stakeholders is the basis for a proper implementationof an active distribution network concept. In order to integrate large amounts of small and microgeneration(μG) units that exploit different power sources (with high or no intermittency) togetherwith controllable loads and storage devices it is necessary to develop flexible management and controlsolutions where responsibilities for the system operation are shared between Distribution SystemOperators (DSO), customers and Distributed Generation (DG) units according to a regulatoryenvironment.The incentives provided to the different parties (stakeholders) may have a major impact on theirdecision to adopt Micro-grid and Multi Micro-grid concepts. Therefore, an identification of thebenefits and costs associated with these concepts adoption is needed in order to recognize the realvalue of their deployment. Moreover, only by proper allocation of these costs and benefits, eachstakeholder affected may receive the right incentive to opt for Micro-grid and Multi Micro-gridsolutions. The DSO is interested in maximizing profits, by minimizing the capital and operationalcosts related to the distribution service (for instance, loss reduction and reinforcement costs) and at thesame time achieving the performance goals imposed by the regulators [1]. Micro-generationdevelopers make decision considering capital and operational expenditures, the connection costs, anduse of system charges. Incomes from energy selling (which may include RES incentives) are the maingoals (benefits) for the μG investors. Therefore, one of the priorities of regulators is to ensure thatthese benefits are perceived by μG developers. Finally, customers may be asked to share with the DSOthe responsibility for an increased reliable system and for having the possibility to reduce their billswhen exploiting the best market options offered by different traders.This paper presents a detailed identification and characterization of the different benefits and costsfor each stakeholder involved. Some of these benefits can be identified and allocated directly to acertain stakeholder, while others need to be shared among a large group of players, involving thesociety in general (for example CO2 emissions reduction, job creation).