Juha Haakana

Methodology to Analyze the Economic Effects of Electric Cars as Energy Storages

The nature of transport and energy use is radically changing along with the upward trend of electric vehicles. The rapid technological development of electrical vehicles opens new opportunities from the electricity distribution point of view. Efficiency can be improved by implementing energy storages to the grid and cutting the load peaks by feeding power on peak hours from the energy storages to the grid. Electric vehicles with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) properties provide an opportunity to meet this challenge. In this paper, the challenge is approached from the economic perspective of an electricity distribution company. The key target of the paper is to determine whether there is economic potential for energy storages in networks in general. To this end, a generic model is introduced to analyze the feasibility of electric vehicles as energy storages in distribution networks. The methodological framework presented in the paper provides an opportunity for distribution system planners to estimate the preliminary feasibility of energy storages. The focus is on the discharging (vehicle to grid) perspective. The paper answers, for instance, the question of how to define the feasible level of energy storages (batteries) in the distribution system. In the paper, for background information, an extensive literature review is provided on electric vehicles.

Comparison of Reliability Indices From the Perspective of Network Automation Devices

The role of electricity has become more significant in todays society; electricity distribution has to be reliable and there should be no outages. Incentives from economic regulation support this direction of development. Therefore, there is a demand for development of distribution networks. The key question is, from which viewpoint the issue of reliability is addressed in the network renovation process? Are we optimizing the number of faults (SAIFI), the duration of faults (SAIDI), the outage costs (CENS), or some other reliability index? If the target is to minimize CENS, can this be done by evaluating the basic reliability indices? These questions have to be answered when considering the placement of a network automation device. Network automation such as circuit reclosers or switchgear with breaker functions and remote-controlled disconnectors belong to the basic structures in distribution technology, and they play a significant role in the improvement of reliability. A recloser installed into the network may have a great impact on reliability, by which the outage costs can be reduced even by 30%. Hence, a study, which approaches the reliability indices as a decisive factor in the placement of network automation devices, is needed.

Case study of the effects of electric vehicle charging on grid loads in an urban area

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly increasing, and the upward trend seems to be continuing also in the future. The increasing number of electric vehicles causes a need to develop the charging infrastructure, and moreover, it is necessary to analyze the network effects of the simultaneous charging of numerous electric vehicles. A further interesting question is how all this affects the distribution fee paid by the electricity end-user. In this paper, the challenge is approached by an actual case example. The data used in the simulation are collected by measuring the traffic flow of the road leading to the case area. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how the grid effects of large-scale electrification of transportation can be assessed and to define the needed reinforcements and effects on the distribution fee paid by the end customers. The data are processed by applying the Monte-Carlo method. The network effects and the change in the distribution fee are evaluated. The key result is that EV charging causes a substantial amount of additional load to the grid. Hence, the distribution fee may increase if the charging system is not intelligent.

Concept of strategic planning in electricity distribution business

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish a methodological framework to address key issues in electricity distribution network development. The paper defines subtasks in the strategy process and presents key elements in the strategy work and long‐term network planning. The results are illustrated by a case network.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the methodology for cost and reliability analyses in the strategy work. The focus is on techno‐economic feasibility of certain network development technologies in the network strategy and the surveys are linked to economic regulation, specifically to reliability of supply and allowed return. The study addresses the stages of strategic decision making and compilation of investment strategies.Findings – The strategic planning concept and methods are applicable in practice; the results have proven valuable in the long‐term business development and in discussions with the company owners. Outage costs are an essential element in the economic...

Customer-based reliability monitoring criteria for finnish distribution companies

In Finland, new reliability criteria for electricity distribution companies have been analysed, and now, the implementation of the criteria is being discussed. The criteria cover the customer-based cumulative sum of durations of long interruptions and the cumulative number of short interruptions. The criteria are established by the Finnish Energy Industries (ET) together with electricity distribution companies and technical universities.

Analyzing the effects of the customer-side BESS from the perspective of electricity distribution networks

This paper presents an analysis methodology to consider the effects of customer-side battery energy storage systems (BESS) on electricity distribution networks motivated by power-based tariffs. The paper describes the methodology by which the network effects can be defined. The methodology is verified by applying actual distribution network and load data. The analysis shows that transition from traditional energy-based distribution tariff to power-based tariff can lead to an accelerating increase in the application of customer-side energy storages. The results indicate that the network effects of the BESS are significant. The effect of energy storages depends partly on the voltage level of the network component. The results show that peak loads decrease in the case electricity distribution network. The most significant decrease, over 10% on average, is found in the low-voltage network, which is not a minor improvement.

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.

Opportunities of bioenergy-based CHP production in balancing renewable power production

This paper considers opportunities of bioenergy-based combined heat and power (CHP) to balance fluctuation in solar and wind power. The paper studies participation of CHP production in an electrical power reserve, which provides opportunities to integrate more renewable energy production into the electrical system and also makes it possible to raise the profit of the CHP operator. Moreover, the paper discusses certain aspects of integrating heat pumps (HPs) with a CHP plant and participation of their combination CHP in electricity reserve power markets.

Major blackouts in the development of electricity distribution networks

Protection against wide-scale blackouts is a crucial part of the management of the modern electricity distribution business. Although the everyday reliability of electricity distribution has been significantly improved by network automation solutions and new construction techniques over the past few decades, the challenge of major storms and long-lasting interruptions still remains. This is the case especially in rural areas where vulnerable aerial lines are typically found. Although major storms may lead to wide-scale blackouts and may cause significant damage to the business, the issue of major blackouts has mostly been neglected in the strategic-level planning of electricity distribution systems. The reason for this is the lack of practically applicable analysis models. Modern distribution management systems usually support traditional reliability calculations, but they do not provide tools to estimate the risk of occurrence and effects of extreme weather events for the electricity distribution business. In this paper, methodology is presented for major storm modeling from the electricity distribution perspective. In the paper, storm and interruption data gathered from electricity distribution utilities are analyzed, and a major storm model is introduced. By the results, the utilities and authorities involved are able to assess the network renovation investments required to avoid long-lasting interruptions caused by major storms. The results are based on a survey commissioned by the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy in 2012. The work has been carried out in cooperation with several Finnish electricity distribution utilities that have experienced wide-scale blackouts as a result of major storms in their electricity networks over the last few years.

Reserve Power Arrangements in Rural Area Underground Cable Networks

The popularity of underground cables to replace overhead lines is increasing. This is partly a consequence of the requirement for better reliability and supply security. In some countries, the authorities have set maximum interruption durations for distribution system operators to steer the operators to avoid the use of overhead lines. However, although faults are typically of a rare occurrence in underground cable networks, they cannot be completely avoided. Since the fault repair process in an underground cable network is time consuming, the distribution network should be meshed, and the rate of disconnecting switches should be high enough. However, this is not always possible or economically feasible and, therefore, other opportunities to restore the electricity supply should also be considered. This is especially the case for branch lines without a backup option. Yet, the power should be restored in a reasonable amount of time, which emphasizes the significance of an appropriate switch placement strategy and reserve power planning. This paper proposes a methodology to analyze the costs of different reserve power strategies and to optimize the reserve power arrangements. The reserve power strategies under consideration are the application of reserve power cables and reserve power generators and looping of the existing branch lines.