Implementation of a real flexibility application on the Milan’s distribution network: the mindflex approach

To efficiently address the active behavior of distribution networks and the challenges posed by the energy transition, the Italian Energy Regulatory Authority (ARERA) called for pilot projects to test Local Flexibility Markets for the provision of ancillary services from Distributed Energy Resources. In this framework, Unareti, Milan’s Distribution System Operator, launched the MiNDFlex project, aiming at performing congestion management and voltage control through the modulation of Distributed Energy Resources’ energy exchanges. The project involves a significant portion of Milan’s Medium Voltage (MV) distribution grid, where frequent overloads have been identified in the past by analyzing historical current flows. The proposed paper outlines the general architecture of the MiNDFlex project; the work focuses on the approach adopted to evaluate flexibility needs, based on the contingencies recorded, the underlying DERs, and the electrical consumption of end-users. To this end, Unareti has developed forecasting algorithms to predict electrical consumption based on historical data, and thus to properly quantify flexibility needs. The work also describes the first market sessions, in which several field tests have demonstrated that procuring local services can effectively improve the operation of distribution networks in large metropolitan areas.