Grid Services Provided By The Interactions Of Energy Sectors In Multi-Energy Systems: Three International Case Studies

Abstract

Solutions towards the development of a low carbon energy system have until recently largely focussed on the electricity sector. However, interactions between energy vectors (e.g. heat, electricity and gas) may contribute to increase the penetration of renewable energies, lower CO2 emissions, and improve energy efficiency by offering, amongst others, additional grid flexibility resources. Multi-energy systems that use synergies between energy vectors are thus gaining in relevance and attention. They rely on the existence of technologies interfacing the energy systems (e.g. CHP plants) and on the regulatory framework, the market design and more generally the organization of the energy system as a whole. Flexibility generated by the synergies may especially provide services by contributing to ensure the offer-demand balance at any time, as well as grid security and stability. Based on a comparison of case studies in UK, Germany and US/California, the paper analyses services provided to the electricity grid by multi-energy systems and examines how involved parties share roles and responsibilities. The analysis is conducted in the light of the regulatory framework in the above-mentioned countries that strongly influences the development of potential services. Identified services are associated to the corresponding market and service layers (e.g. energy, balancing or even capacity) in which they are providing flexibility. The paper relies on a methodology previously developed to analyse and characterize existing and potential future market designs for the electricity system taking into account the specificities met in different countries. The aim of this methodology is to build an integrated and coherent vision of the different roles, functions and interactions within the system. The methodology has been further developed and applied to multi-energy systems. The analysis contributes to a whole-system perspective of flexibility services for electricity systems and underlying market structures.