Blackbox MILP optimization model for industrial DSF potential assessment

The increasing penetration of renewable sources is leading to new challenges in electricity grids operation. One way to mitigate this is the Industrial Demand Response (IDR); making industrial loads flexible to reduce emissions and adjust demand, helping the Distribution System Operator (DSO) resolve congestions. The presented black-box Mixed Integer Linear Programming model allows a flexibility potential assessment in industries. It is valid in those cases with variable production speeds, allowing part of the production to be shifted to contiguous hours, thus using the production ratio as an element of inertia and a source of flexibility. Given the problem of data availability or detailed operational schemes, the simplicity of a black-box model allows for an initial evaluation of the flexibility potential of many industries that only have a relationship between consumption a nd production volume. The black-box model also includes control of equipment start-ups and shutdowns to avoid thermal fatigue. This research, part of the European project ELEXIA, has been evaluated with data from port of Sines’ regasification plant, achieving an estimated energy saving of up to 6.3% and an economic saving of 8.86%. A potential to provide flexibility up to 2,2 MW upwards and 750 kW downwards has been estimated.