A traffic light system for enhancing the utilization of demand response in LV distribution networks

With the development of new smart grid control technologies, the number of load participating in the demand response (DR) programs is increasing. While the flexible capacity these units are providing could be aggregated and scheduled to serve various purposes, it is currently mostly used for reducing final consumer electricity costs. If the schedules of this flexible capacity aren't aligned during the operation phase with the needs of the system, these needs would soon become at odds with the market interests of the DR providers and the aggregators causing network problems, such as line congestion or over- and undervoltages. To keep the system balanced and within the operating limits, a Distribution System Operator (DSO) always needs to have the control over the schedules of the units in its grid. An updated concept of a Traffic Light System (TLS) is introduced in the paper which would be used by DSO for controlling the DR units in a distribution network. We also analyse the added value of several advanced levels of TLS logic based on the simulations of a realistic LV network model.