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Abstract
In this paper we propose and analyze a community-driven platform for flexibility provision based on a distributed ledger. We introduce and analyze the platform for the use case of a self-organized decentralized virtual power plant consisting of a local community of individual prosumers with photovoltaic-storages located on a low voltage feeder. Like a virtual power plant, it aggregates small-scale assets and is able to provide ancillary services in the form of active power provision to the electrical power system. However, the decentralized virtual power plant provides a direct flexibility market access of the distributed assets without the need for a third party. Thus, balancing group managers or system operators can directly interact with the distributed assets in an aggregated way without the need for an aggregator. The solution approach uses a heuristic algorithm for the coordination combined with a distributed ledger and democratic consensus within the community.We propose the concept in detail, describe the prototypical implementation based on a consortium Ethereum blockchain and discuss results of the proof-of-concept. Our numerous test runs with up to 20 participants showed that the coordinated flexibility provision, energy sharing and according financial settlement works in practice, but would need an upgrade concerning the smart-meter hardware for an implementation in the field. We analyze the impact of the coordination interval on the community self-sufficiency and determine that one minute intervals are enough to reach 96% of the optimum. We evaluate the storage and communication effort and conclude with suggestions for future improvements and other possible applications of the decentralized platform like aggregated flexibility coordination between balancing group managers and system operators.
Highlights
The electrical power system (EPS) is designed, controlled and operated hierarchically and centrally in order to work reliably
We introduce and analyze the platform for the use case of a self-organized decentralized virtual power plant consisting of a local community of individual prosumers with photovoltaic-storages located on a low voltage feeder
We propose the concept in detail, describe the prototypical implementation based on a consortium Ethereum blockchain and discuss results of the proof-of-concept
Summary
The electrical power system (EPS) is designed, controlled and operated hierarchically and centrally in order to work reliably. As conventional power plants are dismantled, this leads to an increased need for bottom-up flexibility in order to be able to operate the EPS reliably. This is underlined by the current costs for EPS stability and congestion management, which are on a record high in Germany (BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft e.V 2018). Considering vehicles, governments all over Europe aim to move towards a higher share of electric cars on the roads Most of these distributed assets are owned by citizens or small businesses and are not controlled centrally nor have access to a flexibility market. These flexibility sources cannot be activated as long as they are not pooled in a virtual power plant (VPP)
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