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Integration of Flexibility from Distributed Energy Resources: Mapping the Innovative Italian Pilot Project UVAM

Author

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  • Jan Marc Schwidtal

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Marco Agostini

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Fabio Bignucolo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Massimiliano Coppo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Patrizia Garengo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Arturo Lorenzoni

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Via Giovanni Gradenigo 6/a, 35131 Padova, Italy)

Abstract

In light of the advancing energy transition and an increasing amount of intermittent renewable energy to be integrated, flexibility from distributed energy resources will be key. In this paper, the Italian UVAM (Unità Virtuali Abilitate Miste, i.e., virtually aggregated mixed units) project, one of the biggest pilots in Europe to serve this purpose, is critically reviewed and mapped after two years of operation. The pilot is analyzed on a global level as well as the individual participant level. Based on the extensive analysis of actual market data, different strategies of participating companies to obtain capacity in accordance with the pilot project’s design are identified. Furthermore, the specific bidding strategies of individual participating units on the balancing market are outlined. Alongside this, the overall pilot project’s market integration, in terms of offered and accepted bids, is depicted. The thorough data analysis, therefore, serves as an input and fundamental building block for future electricity market modeling. Comprehending specific data from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, provides insights for future high renewable-energy scenarios. Based on the analysis findings, valuable deliverables are devised for both policy-makers and decision-makers who aim to leverage the flexibility potential of distributed resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Marc Schwidtal & Marco Agostini & Fabio Bignucolo & Massimiliano Coppo & Patrizia Garengo & Arturo Lorenzoni, 2021. "Integration of Flexibility from Distributed Energy Resources: Mapping the Innovative Italian Pilot Project UVAM," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-29, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:7:p:1910-:d:526956
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Karim L. Anaya & Michael G. Pollitt, 2021. "How to Procure Flexibility Services within the Electricity Distribution System: Lessons from an International Review of Innovation Projects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-26, July.
    2. Schwidtal, Jan Marc & Agostini, Marco & Coppo, Massimiliano & Bignucolo, Fabio & Lorenzoni, Arturo, 2023. "Optimized operation of distributed energy resources: The opportunities of value stacking for Power-to-Gas aggregated with PV," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    3. Francesco Gulotta & Edoardo Daccò & Alessandro Bosisio & Davide Falabretti, 2023. "Opening of Ancillary Service Markets to Distributed Energy Resources: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-25, March.
    4. Lynne L. Kiesling & Leonardo Meeus & Michael G. Pollitt, 2021. "Special Issue “Innovation, Policy, and Regulation in Electricity Markets”," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-4, September.
    5. Carmine Cancro & Camelia Delcea & Salvatore Fabozzi & Gabriella Ferruzzi & Giorgio Graditi & Valeria Palladino & Maria Valenti, 2022. "A Profitability Analysis for an Aggregator in the Ancillary Services Market: An Italian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-26, April.
    6. Doumen, Sjoerd C. & Nguyen, Phuong & Kok, Koen, 2022. "Challenges for large-scale Local Electricity Market implementation reviewed from the stakeholder perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    7. Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Sustainability of the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    8. Martina Arosio & Davide Falabretti, 2023. "DER Participation in Ancillary Services Market: An Analysis of Current Trends and Future Opportunities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-21, March.
    9. Bovera, Filippo & Lo Schiavo, Luca, 2022. "From energy communities to sector coupling:a taxonomy for regulatory experimentation in the age of the European Green Deal," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    10. Bracco, Stefano & Bianchi, Enrico & Bianco, Giovanni & Giacchino, Alessandro & Ramaglia, Alessandro & Delfino, Federico, 2022. "On the participation of small-scale high performance combined heat and power plants to the Italian ancillary services market within Virtually Aggregated Mixed Units," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).

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