Antti Supponen

Network impacts of distribution power tariff schemes with active customers

In this paper we study the network impacts of power based distribution tariff which has been widely discussed in Finland as a future electricity distribution tariff also for small customers. The abundance of smart meters in Finland has enabled new forms of electricity pricing schemes, most notably hourly based energy pricing utilized by many Finnish retailers presently. However, the distribution pricing schemes are currently virtually same as during pre-deregulation and before the automatic meter reading (AMR) infrastructure. The paper presents the network impacts (voltage and current violations) of proposed tariff scheme based on load flow simulation of large-scale real-life distribution network from Finland. Simulations include the impact of both the retail and the distribution tariffs. Customers having large enough energy consumption (electric heating customers) are simulated to have a home automation for energy management. The results show that customer energy optimization can cause significant investment needs to the network and that power based distribution tariff can mitigate these issues.

Development options for distribution tariff structures in Finland

In this paper, we study the development options of tariff structures in electricity distribution in Finland. We compare the impacts of three different tariffs from the viewpoints of customers, distribution system operator (DSO), electricity supplier, and society. Analyzed tariffs are (1) energy oriented tariff, which is currently in use, (2) power limit tariff, and (3) power tariff. Based on the analyses, it seems that it is justified to include power based price component in distribution tariff. Generally, the impacts of both analyzed power based tariffs are quite similar. However, it seems that power tariff is a bit stronger candidate. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the benefits of the power-oriented pricing, illustrated in the paper, could be achieved only by well-designed tariff system. Although analyses are based on Finnish case, most of the results are generalizable to other countries also.

Impact evaluation of PV generation on LV networks

In distribution network planning, network loads are modeled with customer class specific load profiles. These profiles use hourly values of expected power and its standard deviation to represent the probability distribution of hourly load for a certain customer class. This paper demonstrates a method for evaluating network impacts of grid connected small scale distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation using a similar concept. The method is based on synthetic solar irradiance time series of hourly resolution incorporating the randomness associated with PV generation. The network impacts are evaluated with Monte Carlo simulations with a model of an actual low voltage (LV) network The results are then compared with Automatic meter reading (AMR) measurements from the modeled network and production measurements from an actual PV system.

Attractiveness of demand response in the Nordic electricity market — Present state and future prospects

During the past few years demand response (DR) has appeared in the spotlight in a new way. This is due to general technological advancement, development of electricity infrastructure, especially roll-out of smart meters, and rapidly increasing amount of renewable intermittent energy sources. This paper analyzes the attractiveness of DR in the Nordic electricity market. The results show that in many market places the attractiveness of DR is improving in the long term, although variations between different years exist. Two case studies presented in the papers show that DR has economic potential for some of the customers, especially for medium to large actors, but in a large scope, number of obstacles still hinder a wide scale deployment of DR solutions.

Power quality in distribution networks with electric vehicle charging - a research methodology based on field tests and real data

In this paper power quality measurement results of electric vehicle (EV) battery charging are presented. The power quality issues of EV charging are a rising concern among power utilities, as a rapid penetration of EVs on automotive markets is expected to happen in a few years to come. For evaluating the impact of EV charging a series of field measurements are conducted and harmonic current profiles based on the measurements were created. Paper also discusses the calculation methodology of harmonic current flow in distribution networks using the harmonic profiles. For this purpose an OpenDSS based calculation tool is developed and preliminary simulation results are presented.

Risk assessment of major storm situation in distribution system

Risk and reliability have a significant connection in meaning; both of them are the facts for one inference. High level of risk is resource of lower reliability. Risk management in power system has a variety of different subjects including models, methods and applications. Risk is a mixture of probability of disturbance event and the negative effect of that occurrence. Usually it counted for random accident which has harmful effect on peoples life and environment. In this paper risks study of storm situation modelled. Random failures in power system are the origin of risk and cannot control by staff. Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS) has used to model the fault frequencies and outage time of customers. The two tools which use in financial studies to make investment decision and applicable in power systems are Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) Result of study compared to the actual reliability which confirm the improvement in the reliability of system. It is not possible to predict the precise amount of load value, Concerns of power outage in local area and possibility of a general blackout.