Management of distributed energy resources: Flexibility Modelling and Optimisation for energy communities
Leveraging energy efficiency management of communities
Solutions for energy resource planning in energy communities
The main scientific challenge of the GERIÓ project is the optimal scheduling of individual energy resources to fulfil aggregated objectives of energy communities with participation in flexibility programs. GERIÓ project aims to leverage energy efficiency management of prosumers (e.g. households) and communities and their interaction with the grid by modelling, forecasting and managing demand flexibility. The Project has received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the European Union and the Spanish State Research Agency.
Main objectives
GERIO aims to combine data–driven (machine learning) methods with thermal load modelling to reduce uncertainty and improve accuracy of flexibility forecasting. An accurate forecasting of generation, demand and flexibility improves soundness of schedules obtained with optimisation methods.
Expected contributions
Increase of self‐sufficiency (better use of local generation) and loss reduction, by reducing rate of transported (imported) energy;
Increase of flexibility, and hosting capacity, provided for an optimal management of energy
storage in communities;
Maximisation of benefit of multi‐vector energy systems in communities.
Challenges
To react to large, sudden, and possibly frequent, changes of energy generation (renewable) adapting the demand to balance it and avoid possible critical events in the grid (i.e. congestion or overvoltage); To manage flexibility capacity for self‐sufficiency at community level and considering the different energy vectors and uses
(heating, electricity, etc.).
Validation environment
GERIO aims to validate theoretical results in the lab but also extending its applicability to real scenarios. A controlled real environment is proposed to reach the goals at the end of the project. The pilot consists in creating a virtual community consisting of real equipment at the University of Girona. Existing infrastructures will be completed and instrumented within this project to guarantee observability and controllability of aggregated flexibility.
Project Management
GERIO project is structured in 4 different work packages which involve: Management and Impact
Advanced Flexibility Modelling for Energy Communities
Flexibility Management
Piloting and performance evaluation
Research Team
Our Research team is led by experts Joaquim Meléndez, Joan Colomer, Carles Pous and Sergio Herraiz from University of Girona’s eXiT Research Group. Our research team delivers sharp insights and innovative solutions through deep analysis and creative thinking.
Multidisciplinar methodologies
Specific approaches are followed to cope with the
research activities involving multidisciplinary knowledge areas
- Data mining & Knowledge discovery: Methodological approach to extract hidden patterns from data and transform data into valuable information or knowledge (knowledge discovery).
- Dynamic Systems Modelling.
- Optimisation solvers for scheduling.
- Software development methodologies.
- Apparatus and methods for lab testing.
- Flexibility markets: Adding a market layer, optimisation problems can address the economic dimension for flexibility management at community level.
