Simulation of Hierarchical Multi-Level Grid Control Strategies

The transition of the electrical power system leads not only to new challenges but also opportunities for a reliable, system-wide provision of ancillary services in the future. Because of the massive integration of converter coupled, ancillary service capable system elements to the distribution grid level, system operators and researchers investigate the potentials of a vertical ancillary service provision across several voltage levels. This requires a revision of the requirements and specifications at the interfaces between the grid levels, as well as an intensified cooperation of the system operators within a multi(-voltage)-level grid control strategy. In addition to classical centralized or decentralized approaches, current research focuses on hierarchical grid control strategies based on a distributed decision-making process and the provision of aggregated lower-level flexibilities for higher-level system operation. This paper presents a reproducible simulation approach for the evaluation, comparison and development of hierarchical multi-level grid control strategies based on analyses of the steady-state. Investigation objectives are for example the comparison of flexibility aggregation methods or the specification of a lower-level flexibility request within higher-level grid control under consideration of the effects on the overall system.