Demonstrating interactions of distribution network and local energy communities operating in hierarchically autonomous control architecture paradigm

There are different expectations on how large integration of Local Energy Communities (LECs) would impact distribution network operations. There are, however, limited experiences from implemented LECs. On the other hand, different local and regional policies are favouring the large integration of LECs. In this study, a real-time simulation approach is discussed and implemented as a supplementary approach to account for the operational impacts of LECs. Hierarchically autonomous Energy Management Systems (EMSs) are implemented together with simulated network to highlight some of the benefits of such high-fidelity simulation studies. Specifically, a CIGRE LV network with a LEC on one feeder is studied under different operational scenarios. The results highlight issues which might be overlooked when doing active-power-based battery and flexibility scheduling to solve the overloading of MV/LV transformer.