UK-Based local flexibility trials : lessons from ADEPT, CLUE and LEO

Valsan, Krishnadas and Watkins, Calum and Hunter, Lewis and Brookes, Mairi and MacDonald, Robert and Silver, Flo and Galloway, Stuart; (2024) UK-Based local flexibility trials : lessons from ADEPT, CLUE and LEO. In: Proceedings of CIRED Vienna Workshop 2024. CIRED Vienna Workshop 2024: Increasing Distribution Network Hosting Capacity (CIRED 2024) . IET, AUT. (In Press)

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Abstract

This paper explores the learnings and outcomes from several UK-based Local Flexibility trials, unveiling the lessons learned from distinct community energy projects - ADEPT, LEO, and ScotCLUE. The paper examines the challenges and opportunities in the Distribution System Operator (DSO) flexibility trials within the projects and explores the technical and process adaptability across the trials. By presenting a comparative study of local flexibility trials, the aim is to explore common challenges and share learning to inform the delivery of smart local energy systems as laid out in the EU Renewable Energy Communities (REC) directive. This paper includes case studies on each of the following projects: ADEPT: The Association of Directors for Environment Planning and Transport (ADEPT) Live Lab is a Department for Transport funded innovation project focused on municipal decarbonisation and transport opportunities. The coordination and control of renewable energy assets installed within municipal buildings including solar PV and electric vehicle (EV) charging was trialled. The trial delivered important learnings for the municipal authorities on managing energy assets for internal, grid and market value streams and for the creation of a multi-vector energy and carbon analytics dashboard. By combining the data streams across sites, the operational, invoicing and reporting functions have been significantly enhanced. LEO: The Local Energy Oxfordshire (LEO) project trials were facilitated by Low Carbon Hub (LCH) in partnership with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and funded by Innovate UK. The project delivers key learnings on distribution control architecture for providing local flexibility to the DSO, SSEN, as well as exploring services such as peer-to-peer trading. The important learnings on quantifying the value proposition for energy asset operators when participating in DSO flexible services is presented. The interfaces and control architecture for connecting energy assets to market platforms and settlement services are also presented. ScotCLUE: The CLUE (Concepts, Planning, Demonstration and Replication of Local User-friendly Energy Communities) project is funded by ERA-NET SES (European Research Area – Networks – Smart Energy Systems) and was established to develop and validate a Web-of-Cells (WoC) distribution control approach. The Scottish branch of the project (ScotCLUE) was facilitated by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC) and the University of Strathclyde. The project examined the validation of WoC and its adaptability in managing a mix of energy vectors including electricity, hydrogen and electric heat. Analysing the interaction between different energy vectors provided the foundations for developing a control and monitoring platform. That coordination between various energy vectors is viewed as crucial for delivering the net-zero targets set by national Governments. The study includes challenges in implementation across technical (variability in renewable energy sources, multi-vector interactions, regulatory (local supply and demand arrangements, and aggregators ), and community involvement (low carbon technology customers). The paper presents the practical lessons and outlines a strategy for renewable energy communities. It further delves into the adaptability nuances - a crucial element for achieving resilience and sustainability in the energy sector while enhancing the hosting capacity.

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