E-REDES pioneer solution for DSO observability and control to manage client-side flexibility

The energy transition and the increased electrification of our society requires the DSO (Distribution System Operator) implementation of advanced monitoring and control systems to ensure grid safety, stability and reliability. DSOs are increasingly incentivised to conduct flexible grid management to increase DER (Distributed Energy Resources) integration with minimal infrastructure increase. However, this entails the need for observability and control of generation stations, prosumers and, in some cases, consumption clients. The Portuguese DSO, E-REDES, identified the necessity of expanding the flexibility on the HV (High Voltage) and MV (Medium Voltage) grid operation by enhancing the observability and control of the connection points to such clients. Considering this need, a proposal was put forward for developing a multipurpose, economically viable and standard device to be integrated into the interconnection point between the distribution grid and the customer's grid of all types of clients connected to the HV and MV. This paper details the proposed innovative architecture scheme and possible use cases. The authors believe this approach constitutes an economical solution where synergies with metering are used to provide real-time observability and control that can be used to manage flexibility, leveraging the implementation and usage of an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS).