Reducing climate-altering emissions that can be achieved through the diffusion of renewable sources and the use of new electrical loads, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, leads to greater variability in the power circulating in the networks, with growing problems for the electricity networks distribution. It is therefore essential to develop and test the provision of flexibility services, through market mechanisms, which can guarantee stable and adequate operation of the electricity system without having to resort to network investments.

In this context, the objective of the three-year activity relating to LA2.01, LA2.02 and LA2.03 of project 2.10 “Flexibility of the integrated energy system” consists in the analysis, development, and field testing through a pilot project of the solutions necessary to guarantee the flexible operation of the system, through the opening of local markets for ancillary services. This project aims to verify and validate control and management tools based on market mechanisms, which integrate demand and generation forecasting systems and Dynamic Thermal Rating techniques.

The activity carried out this year and described in thisreport has allowed the development of the tools for the creation of a pilot project aimed at the provision of ancillary local services for the DSO, as proposed by ARERA resolution 352/2021/R/eel of 03 August 2021. During this phase of the activity, the research in collaboration with Unareti focused mainly on the development of the MiNDFlex pilot project. This included identifying the area of interest, defining the flexibility needs, specifying the characteristics of the flexibility service and developing the tools necessary for the provision of the local flexibility services.

These tools include Optimal Power Flow methods, short-term and very short-term demand forecasting techniques, and Dynamic Thermal Rating algorithms. Therefore, the activity carried out allowed the continuation of the development of the tools necessary for the operation of the MiNDFlex pilot project while awaiting its official launch in 2024.

The Report is available on the Italian site