Research and practice of flexibility in distribution systems: A review

Flexibility in energy systems can support the operation of the electricity grid by providing active and reactive power to avoid voltage limit violations or congestion. Active distribution networks can provide this flexibility by implementing systems to control distributed generators, storage or loads. Additionally, power flow controlling devices can be used to implement operational flexibility in the energy system. This paper presents concepts for planning and forecasting of flexibility, monitoring of energy systems and control of flexibility from active distribution networks (ADNs) to enable the use of flexibility in future power systems.