Explanation of Flexibility in the Energy System – The Big Picture Tool
As part of the E.ON campaign “Flex to the max” an interactive tool was developed, with FfE providing key support in the content creation. The focus was on defining the various actors, assets, and use cases for flexibility within the energy system. The result is a clear and informative tool that offers a comprehensive overview of the topic of flexibility. It explains, among other things, the distinction between large-scale and small-scale flexibility, the potential impacts of flexibility (e.g., system-, grid-, or market-oriented use), and the different time dimensions of flexibility deployment (short-, medium-term, and seasonal).
The FfE was responsible for developing the content definitions and describing the process chains within the project, while the selection of content and visualizations was carried out by E.ON and other partners. In this context, the FfE was able to draw on a broad base of knowledge and experience from various research and consulting projects, such as the unIT-e² and BDL projects, or the study “Bidirectional Charging – Use Cases from the User’s Perspective” commissioned by ADAC.
The Landscape of the Future Energy System
The tool presents a “landscape” that illustrates the key actors and components of a future energy system. A total of 26 actors and components are described, with explanations of their roles in the deployment of flexibility. Figure 1 illustrates the role of the “Electricity Exchange” as an actor.
Examples of Flexibility Deployment
To illustrate the practical use of flexibility, the tool presents nine specific use cases in detail. Each case includes a description of the process, the involved actors, and flow diagrams to visualize the information exchange and electricity flow. Figure 2 shows an example from the use case ” Congestion Management.”
The following use cases were examined as part of the project:
- Primary control
- Secondary control
- Variable electricity tariffs
- Forecast shift due to low wind conditions
- Cold snap in winter
- Congestion management
- Market-based congestion management
- Curative congestion management in low voltage level
- Self-consumption optimization
The Big Picture Tool provides decision-makers in business and politics, interest groups, and the interested public not only with a comprehensive overview of flexibility in the energy system but also with valuable insights into practical use cases and the stakeholders involved, which are essential for the successful implementation of a flexible and future-proof energy infrastructure.