DiNODR is an ERIGrid Transnational Access User Project on distribution network oriented application of demand response.
Current demand response (DR) programs are designed for wholesale markets and utility level issues, neglecting the local challenges that distribution network operators face in daily operation. There is need to consider distribution network operation and constraints during demand response applications. Moreover, deployment of DR to specific parts of distribution networks can enable additional services and benefits.
DiNODR project is aiming to contribute to this important area of study by developing a variety of device based DR methods, by evaluating the response performance of different devices and significantly by field testing of innovative DR methods on distribution networks.
The project has two scientific partners (Istanbul Technical University – ITU, Turkey and Western Macedonica University of Applied Sciences – TEIWM, Greece).
The project has three main objectives;
- to develop distribution network centered DR approaches,
- to investigate distribution network threatening cases in wholesale market-driven DR applications,
- to design integrated programs comprising local level and utility level DR solutions.
In the first stage of the tests, technical issues that can arise with in distribution networks were imitated using the test infrastructure and DR solutions were implemented using the available devices.
The second stage was related to the impact of wholesale market or utility-driven DR actions on the local network.
The last stage of the project was devoted to the development of coordinated DR programs that take into account the operational criterions and constraints of both transmission and distribution networks.
The host research infrastructure of the project field tests is SYSLAB of Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Electrical Engineering. It has a 400 V low voltage (LV) network that can be connected to different substations with configurable lines, hosting buildings with real residents and equipped with advanced monitoring, data acquisition and control options.
This project is one of the first efforts to field test distribution network centered demand response applications.
This research has been performed using the ERIGrid Research Infrastructure and is part of a project that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Grant Agreement No. 654113. The support of the European Research Infrastructure ERIGrid and its partner DTU is very much appreciated.