Optimal Scheduling of Distributed Energy Resources Aggregators in Energy and Flexibility Markets

This paper investigates the stochastic scheduling of a Distributed Energy Resources Aggregator participating in wholesale day-ahead energy and flexibility markets. The proposed framework focuses on maximizing the aggregator’s profit while representing entities such as PV-based prosumers, electric vehicles, and large-scale battery within an unbalanced distribution network. It incorporates uncertainties related to PV generation, market prices, and flexibility deployment requests. In addition to profit maximization, the framework manages the distribution network’s voltage and line congestion while meeting the basic energy demand of the players. The aggregator leverages the flexibility of these players to participate in the flexibility electricity market, enabling it to adjust its total power production as requested by the flexibility market operator. The study evaluates two cases: Case 1, where the aggregator participates only in the energy market, and Case 2, where the aggregator joins both energy and flexibility markets. The results show that participating in both markets significantly increases profit, while maintaining compliance with the distribution network’s voltage and thermal limits and meeting participants’ demand requirements.