Assessment of congestion management potential in distribution networks using demand-response and battery energy storage

The integration of large shares of renewable energy sources in distribution grids runs the risk of outpacing the capacity of the network. Thus, high investment costs are expected at distribution system level to expand the existing grid to manage, among other challenges, anticipated congestion. This paper involves a study of the technical feasibility of using an ancillary service toolbox including day- and hour-ahead demand-response and battery energy storage as an alternative to grid expansion. The ancillary service toolbox is applied on radial distribution grids having large shares of renewable generation, controllable loads and power export capability to the overlaying power grid. The toolbox is simulated for a real use case presenting results on required demand-response participants and operation of flexibility resources for different congestion scenarios. The study concludes that the ancillary service solution is technically feasible for the use case, which may imply network investment deferral for distribution system operators.