A toolbox for comparing congestion management solutions for distribution networks

To address the emerging challenges in electricity distribution networks, various solutions have been proposed such as alternative tariff design, local flexibility markets (LFMs), bilateral contracts, and local energy markets (LEMs). However, choosing a suitable solution is not straightforward due to multi-dimensional complexity of the challenges which may vary under different circumstances. This paper proposes a toolbox for qualitative and quantitative comparison of the different solutions. The toolbox includes a multi-dimensional analytical framework and a flexible modeling and demonstration platform for conducting quantitative comparison studies. Four solutions i.e. LFM, LEM, cost-reflective tariffs, and bilateral contracts are compared qualitatively using the framework and a real demonstration example of an LFM design is presented utilizing the modeling platform. The toolbox can facilitate research on the local grid challenges and contribute to finding a suitable solution from a multi-dimensional perspective.