Development of Distributed Energy Resource Control Technology to Alleviate Congestion in Power Grids

This paper provides an overview of the ‘Development of Flexible and Distributed Energy Resources Control Technology to Mitigate Congestion in Power Systems’ (FLEX DER Project), a demonstration project conducted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) from 2022 to 2024. With the expected further advancement of photovoltaic systems into distribution systems, it is inevitable that local supply systems and distribution substations will experience periods of overload (grid congestion) due to reverse power flow. This project aims to alleviate grid congestion by utilizing distributed energy resources (DERs) as an alternative to facility reinforcement. It includes advanced use of DER, necessitating sophisticated information sharing between power system operators and aggregators. Considering existing DER utilization already in practical use, the requirements for the business flow, information sharing, and operational management systems necessary for realizing grid congestion mitigation were comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, field‐based demonstration tests were conducted to verify these elements. This paper describes the entire project, focusing on the considerations behind each part, the implications for practical application derived from the results, and outlines future prospects for maximizing the value of DERs based on a report prepared by NEDO and comparisons of the initiatives of other countries.