The Impact of Uncertainty and Time Structure on Optimal Flexibility Scheduling in Active Distribution Networks

The authors focus on a model for system operators that uses centralized scheduling of multiple flexibility assets and services to minimize the cost of managing problems with grid congestion, voltages, and losses. The model schedules flexibility assets using stochastic optimization for AC optimal power flow in an active distribution network. The novelty of the contribution lies in its focus on how the dynamic capabilities of the flexibility resources are defined with regard to how uncertainty is resolved in the model. The impact of uncertainty is studied by using well-known quality measures from stochastic programming, such as the value of the stochastic solution. Moreover, the authors introduce a new measure related to the impact of representing uncertainty and flexibility when considering reactive power. By changing the time attributes of flexibility assets, the authors show the impact of uncertainty and time structure on a scheduling problem. The uncertainties considered are price and load levels. The findings reveal that the quality of the scheduling of each flexibility resource depends on using a stochastic model with a rigorous consideration of time and uncertainty.