Transactive Energy in Low-Voltage Networks

Over recent years, distributed energy resources (DER) have been the object of many studies, which recognise and establish their emerging role in the future of power systems. Given this context, the concept of transactive energy (TE) has emerged as a central element to the vision of the future grid. The transition to the emerging TE concept requires to tap the inherent flexibility of the demand-side. In this context, the concept of peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading between consumers and prosumers is one of the new scenarios of growing importance in the domain of distribution networks. This local energy market has been proposed as a means of efficiently managing the uptake of DER. However, the deployment of P2P energy markets at the distribution level is not clear yet. Few studies have investigated the implementation of local energy markets in distribution systems. It is necessary to examine in more detail the limitations and rules that will allow and support the electrical energy trading in a local energy market. Network constraints must be considered in order to evaluate the impact in the network and satisfy the constraints of the grid. In addition, the real benefits for end-users are not yet known. Likewise, it is not known whether this would favour power systems or not. Furthermore, market structures and agents’ strategies need also to be studied. Those factors influence the performance and efficiency of the market. Hence, there are some fundamental questions that have to be solved first in order to implement local markets. This research aims to contribute to this growing area by exploring the operation and implementation of P2P markets on distribution networks using new methodologies and tools. This study also provides a systematic analysis of other prominent DER integration approaches that have been proposed in the transition towards a transactive energy system