Project ‘power-to-heat in smart grids’– a multi-objective approach for a maximised value of flexibilities in grids

The integration of power-to-heat (PtH) assets as grid-oriented flexibilities can help balancing and stabilising the increasingly strained distribution grid level. As a result of using demand-side response, conventional grid reinforcements could be avoided/deferred in certain cases. Furthermore, decentralised renewables could be integrated more effectively. A multi-objective approach aims to improve the economics of the PtH asset using the flexibility in an optimised way, whereas the grid-oriented usage is chosen in certain times of grid restrictions due to fluctuating wind feed-in, system-/market-oriented flexibility usage can be applied during the remaining time periods. Besides the technical solution of using different optimised flexibility dimensions, also the regulatory discussion for distribution grid operators is part of this study indicating a need for actions to enable a suitable usage of demand-side response potentials.