Using P2P Transactive Energy Mechanism to Maximize Feeder Hosting Capability for Renewable Integrations

The transition to a zero-emission society has led to increased interconnections of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and operational challenges, such as reverse power flows and over/under voltages in the distribution network. In addition, the active participation of prosumers has changed the supply and demand dynamics and calls for innovations to deal with new challenges. This paper uses a peer-to-peer (P2P) blockchain-based transaction energy system concept that enables agents to participate in a decentralized marketplace and offers real and reactive power controls of DERs as grid services to support and maximize renewable integrations. The conceptual blockchain mechanism could automate the bidding process, ensures the validity of transactions, facilitates the provision of ancillary services to maximize renewable utilization, and effectively resolves operation problems caused by the renewable expansions that exceed regular conservative feeder hosting capacity determined by the Distribution System Operator (DSO). Simulation results indicate that leveraging ancillary services via a decentralized market mechanism could accommodate more renewable integrations in the existing distribution system and increase revenues for renewable investors.