evolve DER Project

Summary

The evolve DER project aims to increase the network hosting capacity of distributed energy resources (DER) by maximising their participation in energy, ancillary and network service markets, while ensuring the secure technical limits of the electricity networks are not breached.

How the project works

The project is a collaboration between industry, academia and government. It has a strong focus on the development of working software systems that will be integrated with the operational technologies used by distribution networks, and the systems used by aggregators to manage DER under their control. Through multiple demonstrations and trials, the evolve project will develop new algorithms and capabilities to identify and ease congestion within the distribution network. This will be achieved through the calculation and publication of operating envelopes for all DER connected to the distribution network.

Area of innovation

The primary innovation of the evolve project will be to demonstrate scalable capabilities and systems for coordinating DER throughout the distribution network. These capabilities are important for the development the Distribution System Operator (DSO) function within the electricity system. To support this, advances in data ingestion, forecasting and analysis will be demonstrated so the solution can be deployed in practical terms.

Benefit

The evolve project will show how more customers can connect solar PV and storage to the distribution network. This could mean that envisaged limitations of DER connection to electricity networks will be relaxed. In future, the evolve project could also support increased uptake of electric vehicles without major investment in the network poles and wires. Ultimately, this project will develop technologies that will allow distribution networks to evolve with the changing mix of renewables and DER.