Involvement of flexible loads in transmission system operation

A secure electric power supply is fundamental for today's living standard and the economic development of any country. Regarding global trends in the future, electric power generation has to be sustainable and will consequently not be based on fossil resources. This leads to a strengthened expansion of renewable energy generation (REG), in particular in Germany. The corresponding infeed with volatile character presents a major challenge to system operators. Nowadays transmission system operators (TSO) in Germany are increasingly forced to apply emergency measures to ensure system security. This paper outlines two approaches on how controllable (flexible) loads can be utilized to support the grid operation of a TSO. Their impact will be demonstrated on the basis of numerical case studies.