SGAM-Based Comparative Study of Interoperability Challenges in European Flexibility Demonstrators: Methodology And Results

Abstract

In the European demonstration Project InterFLEX, five different demonstration sites are realized with a focus on flexibility services from energy generation and demand. The use of flexibility for grid and generation-supply balance management is a key factor in renewable-based electricity systems. However, the way such flexibility services are activated from an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) perspective requires harmonization across Europe. As a step on this way, this paper proposes a methodology based on the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) to study cross-demonstrator ICT interoperability and show its application in the InterFLEX context. This is a multi-player environment with Distribution System Operators (DSOs), aggregators, Electric Vehicle (EV) charging operators and other actors, providing a representative overview of contemporary flexibility use and implementation options. In particular, a SGAM clustering approach is set up in order to group devices and actors within common entities. The results of this analysis show that the use-cases and interfaces are comparable between the demos, however the chosen solutions and protocols are manifold and very demonstrator-specific. Future candidates for future selection of interfaces and protocols from an InterFLEX point of view are discussed.