Scalability and replicability of the impact of smart grid solutions in distribution systems

espanolSmart grid solutions offer a great potential to achieve a more efficient integration of renewable energy in the distribution network. Numerous pilot projects have been launched to test smart grid solutions in real-life systems. However, the results observed are subject to the specific context of the demonstrators. Therefore, conclusions drawn may not be directly applicable to the implementation of the same solutions in different locations or at a larger scale. This PhD thesis proposes a novel framework to assess the scalability and replicability of smart grid solutions to understand the effect of the implementation context and infer the impacts that may be expected from the deployment of the smart grid. This thesis proposes a SRA methodology comprising a quantitative and detailed technical analysis based on simulation to compute the KPIs that measure the impact of the use case on the system; and a second stage of a more qualitative non-technical analysis. The proposed technical SRA relies on the use of representative networks and scenarios for simulation to account for the different technical boundary conditions that may be encountered in the considered regions. The experience gathered from real-life testing is incorporated in technical SRA comparing the KPIs measured in the demo and those obtained through simulation. The non-technical analysis addresses the relevant regulatory framework and the perspective of stakeholders involved to identify barriers and drivers for the implementation of smart grid solutions. This thesis proposes to group smart grid use cases into three main categories for SRA, based on the type of impacts caused and objective pursued: (i) network automation to improve continuity of supply, (ii) DER management and voltage control to increase network hosting capacity, and (iii) islanding and micro grids to improve continuity of supply. The detailed implementation of the proposed SRA methodology has been particularized for these three groups of smart grid use cases. Accordingly, this thesis has identified the characteristics required for representative networks for the SRA of each group of smart grid use cases, adequate modelling and simulation approaches, appropriate KPIs and the relevant regulatory topics and stakeholders. Finally, a comprehensive SRA is presented in this thesis to illustrate the application of the proposed SRA methodology to the case study of MV network automation to improve continuity of supply in Spain and Italy. This case study includes a cost-benefit analysis based on the SRA results. espanolLas soluciones de redes inteligentes o smart grid ofrecen un elevado potencial para la integracion eficiente de las energias renovables en las redes de distribucion. Se estan llevando a cabo numerosos proyectos piloto para probar el funcionamiento de las soluciones smart grid en condiciones reales. Sin embargo, los resultados obtenidos en dichos proyectos estan sujetos a las condiciones especificas del piloto. Por tanto, las conclusiones extraidas pueden no ser directamente aplicables a la implementacion de las mismas soluciones en distintos lugares o a mayor escala. Esta tesis propone un marco conceptual y metodologico novedoso para analizar la escalabilidad y la replicabilidad de las soluciones smart grid que permite evaluar como el contexto en el que se implementan dichas soluciones repercute sobre los resultados de la implantacion de la smart grid. Esta tesis propone una metodologia para el analisis de escalabilidad y la replicabilidad (SRA, del ingles scalability and replicability analysis) que comprende una primera etapa de analisis tecnico basado en el uso de simulacion para la cuantificacion de indicadores clave de rendimiento (KPIs, del ingles Key Performance Indicators) que miden el impacto de las soluciones implantadas sobre el sistema; y una segunda etapa de analisis no tecnico mas cualitativo. El SRA tecnico se sustenta en el empleo de redes representativas y escenarios de simulacion para abarcar las distintas condiciones de contorno tecnicas que pueden encontrarse en las regiones estudiadas. La experiencia reunida en los proyectos piloto se incorpora al SRA tecnico comparando los KPI medidos en las demos con los valores obtenidos mediante simulacion. El analisis no tecnico aborda el contexto regulatorio y la perspectiva de los stakeholders relevantes para identificar barreras e impulsores para la implementacion de soluciones smart grid. Esta tesis propone una clasificacion de las soluciones smart grid en tres categorias de casos de uso para SRA basada en los tipos de impactos causados y los objetivos perseguidos: (i) automatizacion de la red para la mejora de la continuidad de suministro, (ii) control de recursos energeticos distribuidos y control de tensiones para el aumento de la capacidad de integracion de la red, y (iii) funcionamiento en isla y micro-redes para la mejora de la continuidad de suministro. La implementacion detallada de la metodologia de SRA propuesta en esta tesis se ha particularizado para estos tres grupos de soluciones smart grid. En esta tesis se han identificado para el SRA de cada grupo de casos de uso de smart grid los requisitos para las redes representativas, los enfoques de modelado y simulacion adecuados, los KPIs apropiados y los temas regulatorios y stakeholders relevantes. Finalmente, se ilustra la aplicacion de la metodologia de SRA propuesta mediante el SRA completo para el caso de estudio de automatizacion de redes de media tension para la mejora de la continuidad de suministro en Espana e Italia. Este caso de estudio incluye tambien un analisis coste-beneficio basado en los resultados del SRA. EnglishSmart grid solutions offer a great potential to achieve a more efficient integration of renewable energy in the distribution network. Numerous pilot projects have been launched to test smart grid solutions in real-life systems. However, the results observed are subject to the specific context of the demonstrators. Therefore, conclusions drawn may not be directly applicable to the implementation of the same solutions in different locations or at a larger scale. This PhD thesis proposes a novel framework to assess the scalability and replicability of smart grid solutions to understand the effect of the implementation context and infer the impacts that may be expected from the deployment of the smart grid. This thesis proposes a SRA methodology comprising a quantitative and detailed technical analysis based on simulation to compute the KPIs that measure the impact of the use case on the system; and a second stage of a more qualitative non-technical analysis. The proposed technical SRA relies on the use of representative networks and scenarios for simulation to account for the different technical boundary conditions that may be encountered in the considered regions. The experience gathered from real-life testing is incorporated in technical SRA comparing the KPIs measured in the demo and those obtained through simulation. The non-technical analysis addresses the relevant regulatory framework and the perspective of stakeholders involved to identify barriers and drivers for the implementation of smart grid solutions. This thesis proposes to group smart grid use cases into three main categories for SRA, based on the type of impacts caused and objective pursued: (i) network automation to improve continuity of supply, (ii) DER management and voltage control to increase network hosting capacity, and (iii) islanding and micro grids to improve continuity of supply. The detailed implementation of the proposed SRA methodology has been particularized for these three groups of smart grid use cases. Accordingly, this thesis has identified the characteristics required for representative networks for the SRA of each group of smart grid use cases, adequate modelling and simulation approaches, appropriate KPIs and the relevant regulatory topics and stakeholders. Finally, a comprehensive SRA is presented in this thesis to illustrate the application of the proposed SRA methodology to the case study of MV network automation to improve continuity of supply in Spain and Italy. This case study includes a cost-benefit analysis based on the SRA results.