Implementation of a technical solution for the grid-friendly control of flexible loads

In this paper, a methodology to control flexible loads for grid friendly usage is presented. We demonstrate the methodology with a pilot installation (minimum viable product – MVP), in which an existing electric vehicle charging infrastructure is used. The infrastructure is connected to a control-device using relay contacts which receives commands to reduce the load from our flexibility platform whenever a bottleneck in the grid is detected. In our pilot installation, we demonstrate how the end-to-end process works, i.e. from running a load flow analysis and detecting a bottleneck to sending the command to the control-device that effectively reduces the load. Furthermore, we present the key challenges that we have encountered during development and implementation, and we present our recommendations from a DSOs point of view for future flexibilities. The presented methodology has the potential to increase the hosting capacity of the grid, especially with regards to the increase of the number of heat-pumps, electric vehicles and photovoltaic installations.